The universal concept of prayer needs very little introduction. All of humanity, in some form or another, is able to conceptualize an understanding of prayer. Prayer, throughout history has taken, and still takes a variety of beautiful and interesting forms. For the purpose of this article however, let us simply define prayer as the verbalizing of one’s thoughts, feelings, fears, goals and all things hidden, in the presence of a trusted higher power. It might come as a surprise, but aside from the spiritual benefits, when we engage in regular prayer we derive specific psychological and emotional benefits too!
A tried and tested tool for aiding in psychological and emotional health is talk therapy, or wellness counselling. The primary objective of such counselling is to facilitate a process through which someone untangles their inner world. It helps the person gain clarity around their thoughts, feelings and behaviour, increases their level of self-awareness, and facilitates positive changes in their behaviour to align them with chosen goals and values. For this process to be most effective a few key ingredients need to be present: A safe space, for trust to develop, and unfiltered truth and honesty.
The presence of trust, and truth, allows for the client to discover their authentic self, embrace that self, and then to align their life around who they are, and who they choose to be. When a person engages in prayer, they are essentially allowing themselves to be in the trusted presence of their Higher Power, and presenting themselves with truth.
In addition to this, each person’s prayer may incorporate any other accompanying action, such as meditation, reading of scripture, song, dance or the lighting of candles. Prayer can be done alone, or in groups. In most religions and cultures, prayer will be done both alone, and regularly in group settings such as Friday Jumuah prayers, Sunday Church services, and Buddhist group meditations. These actions, in the context of prayer, add to its profound spiritual value, allowing the person engaged in prayer to feel deeply connected to themselves, to others, and to a higher power. This feeling of being connected, cannot be underestimated, for it doesn’t only increase spiritual wellbeing, but psychological and emotional wellbeing as well. According to renowned author and physician Gabor Mate, “Safety is not the absence of threat, it is the presence of connection.” Through prayer, a person establishes connection. Accessing that connection on a regular basis leads to psychological and emotional health being maintained.
Engaging in prayer often leads to the release of stuck or stored emotions. When we move through our daily lives, in a hurry, unable to really feel or reflect, the days just blur into one. We become distant and dissociated from our feelings. This is often necessary in order to meet the demands of life. Once we stop to engage in prayer however, we give ourselves the time and space for stillness, allowing our otherwise ignored feelings to surface and to actually be felt. This provides us with a much-needed emotional release.
Prayer also incorporates techniques used to relieve stress, anxiety, depression and recovery from trauma. These techniques are mindfulness, grounding and rhythm. Mindfulness is being present in the moment. Focussing on yourself in your body, in the moment. It also involves deep breathing, which often the case during prayer. Many prayers involve grounding: kneeling on the ground, sitting on the ground, standing bare-foot on the ground and even prostrating with the forehead, hands, knees and feet on the ground. Rhythm soothes the nervous system. It is very often present in prayer in the form of song, dance, rocking, drums, swaying or the vibration felt when reciting and listening to Quran.
The combination of trust, truth, connection, emotional release, mindfulness, grounding and rhythm, are just some of the powerful components that prayer incorporates. These powerful components, accessed on a regular basis, are the building blocks of healing. Let us turn to prayer, and pray with a new appreciation for all the benefits we derive from it. After all, we pray to God, but we pray for ourselves, and all the world is a prayer mat!