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Presents Power of Meditation— Prayer ©Arlene R. Taylor PhD www.arlenetaylor.org Brain References

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Page 1: Power of Meditation— Prayer - Arlene Taylorarlenetaylor.org/files/Scriptual Perspective/Power-of-Prayer-RV.pdf · Incidence ©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Written sources

Presents

Power of Meditation—

Prayer

©Arlene R. Taylor PhDwww.arlenetaylor.org Brain References

Page 2: Power of Meditation— Prayer - Arlene Taylorarlenetaylor.org/files/Scriptual Perspective/Power-of-Prayer-RV.pdf · Incidence ©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Written sources

Definition©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

The act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)

--The Free Dictionary, Thesaurus

A form of meditation

Any communication with a Higher Power

Page 3: Power of Meditation— Prayer - Arlene Taylorarlenetaylor.org/files/Scriptual Perspective/Power-of-Prayer-RV.pdf · Incidence ©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Written sources

Incidence©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Written sources from 5000 years ago talk about prayer

A survey released in 2002 by the National Center for Complementary and AlternativeMedicine (part of the US National Institutesof Health revealed:

43% of Americans pray for their own health

24% pray for others' health

Page 4: Power of Meditation— Prayer - Arlene Taylorarlenetaylor.org/files/Scriptual Perspective/Power-of-Prayer-RV.pdf · Incidence ©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Written sources

Your Prayer History©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

“Prayer does not demand that we interrupt our work but that we continue working as if it were a prayer” --Mother Teresa

What were you taught?What did you see role modeled?What did you learn?What was puzzling?

Page 5: Power of Meditation— Prayer - Arlene Taylorarlenetaylor.org/files/Scriptual Perspective/Power-of-Prayer-RV.pdf · Incidence ©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Written sources

Your Prayer Life©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

What do you like and dislike about prayer?

What triggers discomfort?

Are you ambivalent about prayer?

Do you think it even works?

What is your favorite prayer style?

Can’t say “yes” --until you can say “no”

Page 6: Power of Meditation— Prayer - Arlene Taylorarlenetaylor.org/files/Scriptual Perspective/Power-of-Prayer-RV.pdf · Incidence ©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Written sources

Prayers Offered©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Prayers may be:WrittenThoughtVerbalizedChanted or sung with or without musical accompanimentIndividual, group, corporate

Page 7: Power of Meditation— Prayer - Arlene Taylorarlenetaylor.org/files/Scriptual Perspective/Power-of-Prayer-RV.pdf · Incidence ©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Written sources

Prayer Frequency©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Periodic (e.g., morning / eveningprayers, grace said over food, weddings, funerals, presidential inaugurations, graduations)

Seasonal (e.g., Advent, Easter, Christmas, Pentecost, Hanukah)

Ongoing throughout the day

Page 8: Power of Meditation— Prayer - Arlene Taylorarlenetaylor.org/files/Scriptual Perspective/Power-of-Prayer-RV.pdf · Incidence ©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Written sources

Prayer Postures©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

• Standing• Sitting• Kneeling up / down• Eyes open / closed• Head up / down• Lying in bed

• Prostrate on floor• Hands folded, clasped,

upraised, waving, straight down, or holding hands of others

• Laying on of hands

Page 9: Power of Meditation— Prayer - Arlene Taylorarlenetaylor.org/files/Scriptual Perspective/Power-of-Prayer-RV.pdf · Incidence ©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Written sources

Prayer Actions©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Anointing with oilRinging a bell, singingSilence, fastingBurning incense, paper, or candlesGesturing (sign of the cross, genuflect)Facing a specific direction (e.g., towards theEast or Mecca, looking up or down)Dancing (Native Americans), Whirling (Sufis), Swaying back and forth (Orthodox Jews)

Page 10: Power of Meditation— Prayer - Arlene Taylorarlenetaylor.org/files/Scriptual Perspective/Power-of-Prayer-RV.pdf · Incidence ©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Written sources

Prayer Types ©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Ritual – Recited from memory, read froma book of prayers, or written on flags orprayer wheels

Extemporaneous prayers – composed spontaneously on the spot

A combination of extemporaneous and ritual – spontaneous prayer followed by reciting a prayer (e.g., The Lord’s Prayer)

Page 11: Power of Meditation— Prayer - Arlene Taylorarlenetaylor.org/files/Scriptual Perspective/Power-of-Prayer-RV.pdf · Incidence ©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Written sources

Types, Cont’d©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Petitional – Requesting a favor for yourself

Intercessory - Requesting a favor on behalf of another or something in the external world

Colloquial – Asking guidance or forgiveness

Thanksgiving – Giving thanks, praising

Page 12: Power of Meditation— Prayer - Arlene Taylorarlenetaylor.org/files/Scriptual Perspective/Power-of-Prayer-RV.pdf · Incidence ©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Written sources

Types, Cont’d©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Meditative – Pondering, meditating, thinking about spiritual things, and listening

Studies have indicated that personal meditative prayer provides the greatest personal benefits

I've seen prayers answered but often, in myexperience, if you get what you pray for, you've really shortchanged yourself

–Anne Lamott

Page 13: Power of Meditation— Prayer - Arlene Taylorarlenetaylor.org/files/Scriptual Perspective/Power-of-Prayer-RV.pdf · Incidence ©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Written sources

Benefits to Plants©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

27,000 randomly selected plants were prayed for by 156 different individuals –700 different types of tests were performed

⎯Reverend Loehr (minister and chemist)

Outcome: Prayed-for plants showed a 52.71% advantage in growth althoughall other growing conditions remainedthe same

Page 14: Power of Meditation— Prayer - Arlene Taylorarlenetaylor.org/files/Scriptual Perspective/Power-of-Prayer-RV.pdf · Incidence ©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Written sources

Benefits to Person Praying©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Lowers blood pressure and decreasespulse and breathing rates

Slows the aging process (reduces brainwave activity which decreases brainmetabolism and oxygen requirements)

Heightens learning ability and creativeproblem-solving

Page 15: Power of Meditation— Prayer - Arlene Taylorarlenetaylor.org/files/Scriptual Perspective/Power-of-Prayer-RV.pdf · Incidence ©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Written sources

To Person, Cont’d©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Improves coordination of electrical patterns between the cerebral hemispheres

Improves the efficiency of body functionsin runners who meditate/pray while they are running

Page 16: Power of Meditation— Prayer - Arlene Taylorarlenetaylor.org/files/Scriptual Perspective/Power-of-Prayer-RV.pdf · Incidence ©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Written sources

Benefits To Prayed-For ©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Prayer for beneficial healing and quick recovery in a 10-month study of 192 cardiac patients⎯Randy Byrd MD, SF General Hospital, CCU, Double Blind

Prayed-for Group had fewer complications

No intubations3 required antibiotics6 had pulmonary edema

Control Group had increased complications

• 12 required intubations• 16 needed antibiotics• 18 had pulmonary

edema

Page 17: Power of Meditation— Prayer - Arlene Taylorarlenetaylor.org/files/Scriptual Perspective/Power-of-Prayer-RV.pdf · Incidence ©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Written sources

Prayed-For, Cont’d©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Seven groups around the world prayed for 150 angioplasty patients ⎯Mitchell W. Krucoff MD

(Duke U Med Center, NC), Double-Blind

Prayed for specific patients by name duringangioplasty procedures - patient-prayergroup match was not based on denomination

Patients who were prayed for had far fewer complications

Page 18: Power of Meditation— Prayer - Arlene Taylorarlenetaylor.org/files/Scriptual Perspective/Power-of-Prayer-RV.pdf · Incidence ©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Written sources

Prayed-For, Cont’d©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Prayer for pregnancy in 199 women receiving in-vitro fertility treatments in Korea

--Rogerio A. Lobo, MD, Columbia U, S of M, NYC

Half the women were randomly assigned toChristian prayer groups in Canada, USA, and Australia

The pregnancy rate was doubled among the women who were prayed for

Page 19: Power of Meditation— Prayer - Arlene Taylorarlenetaylor.org/files/Scriptual Perspective/Power-of-Prayer-RV.pdf · Incidence ©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Written sources

Research on Prayer©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Hundreds of research studies have shown benefits of religion and prayer on one’s health

A literature search by Dr. Dale Matthew of Georgetown University found 212 studies on the medical influence of religion and prayer to human beings

Page 20: Power of Meditation— Prayer - Arlene Taylorarlenetaylor.org/files/Scriptual Perspective/Power-of-Prayer-RV.pdf · Incidence ©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Written sources

Conclusions©Arlene Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Prayer has been found to be effective and beneficial in the clinical treatment of patients

When we pray, we reap tremendous physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits... we may also reap the benefits from the prayers of others on our behalf”

--Mind/Body Health Journal

Page 21: Power of Meditation— Prayer - Arlene Taylorarlenetaylor.org/files/Scriptual Perspective/Power-of-Prayer-RV.pdf · Incidence ©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Written sources

“Em” Energy ©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Electromagnetic energy is generated by neurons in the brain and heart

Heart Em energy is 5000 times stronger than brain Em energy

Em energy forms a field that radiates out 12-15 feet from the body – strongest within 3 feet

Page 22: Power of Meditation— Prayer - Arlene Taylorarlenetaylor.org/files/Scriptual Perspective/Power-of-Prayer-RV.pdf · Incidence ©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Written sources

The Power of “Em”©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

A form of radiation energy, Em energy may never be destroyed

Brain waves synchronize to heart rate and vice versa when people engage in caring touch (e.g., hold hands, arm around shoulder, massage)

May explain laying-on-of-handsLikely too slow to explain prayer

Page 23: Power of Meditation— Prayer - Arlene Taylorarlenetaylor.org/files/Scriptual Perspective/Power-of-Prayer-RV.pdf · Incidence ©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Written sources

Your Triggers©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

What prompts you to think about praying?

Learned habits

Socialization / societal rewards

Expectations (self and others)

Disasters / Catastrophic events

Past personal experiences

Page 24: Power of Meditation— Prayer - Arlene Taylorarlenetaylor.org/files/Scriptual Perspective/Power-of-Prayer-RV.pdf · Incidence ©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Written sources

Be Positive©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Never use a negative thought in prayer – only positive thoughts getpositive results --Norman Vincent Peale

Negative or positive habitual prayer style?Typically whine and moan?Usually ask for things? Generally use words of praise and gratitude?

Page 25: Power of Meditation— Prayer - Arlene Taylorarlenetaylor.org/files/Scriptual Perspective/Power-of-Prayer-RV.pdf · Incidence ©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Written sources

Positive, Cont’d©Arlene Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Constant rehearsal of mistakes and errors (or the use of pejoratives) can ingrain themeven more deeply in your mind – actuallythe reverse of what you probably want!

I don’t want to yell at my children versus

I speak kindly to my children

Page 26: Power of Meditation— Prayer - Arlene Taylorarlenetaylor.org/files/Scriptual Perspective/Power-of-Prayer-RV.pdf · Incidence ©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Written sources

Prayer Models©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Our God in heaven, help us to honoryour name. Come and set up your kingdom, so that everyone on earth will obey you as you are obeyed in heaven.Give us our food for today.Forgive us for doing wrong, as we forgive others. Keep us from being tempted and protect us from evil.

⎯Matthew 6:9-13 The Promise

Page 27: Power of Meditation— Prayer - Arlene Taylorarlenetaylor.org/files/Scriptual Perspective/Power-of-Prayer-RV.pdf · Incidence ©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Written sources

Prayer Models©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

⎯Matthew 6:9-13 NIV; Luke 11:2-6 NIV

Page 28: Power of Meditation— Prayer - Arlene Taylorarlenetaylor.org/files/Scriptual Perspective/Power-of-Prayer-RV.pdf · Incidence ©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Written sources

Favorite Prayers

Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can;and wisdom to know the difference.

--Reinhold Niebuhr

Do you have one?

Page 29: Power of Meditation— Prayer - Arlene Taylorarlenetaylor.org/files/Scriptual Perspective/Power-of-Prayer-RV.pdf · Incidence ©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Written sources

Bottom Lines©Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

No two brains are ever identical in structure, function, perception – or in approach to prayer

Give up all expectation of another human brainever understanding yours

Prayer is a personal journey

Find your own prayer path –one that works for your brain