Welcome to Caregiver Friday!
I was reviewing the events for July at my favorite independent bookstore and saw that Larry Dossey will be speaking. I’ve read lots of Dossey’s work on prayer and healing and it got me thinking about prayer. Dossey’s research has shown that prayer heals. His studies included prayer groups praying long distance for some cardiac care patients and another group receiving no prayers. The group receiving the prayers had less complications and fewer deaths. It’s clear that in our busy world many of us do not pray on a regular basis. It was always interesting on family shows in the 70’s how many kids prayed before they went to sleep. Unfortunately, for many of us, prayer only enters our lives during times of crisis or times of want.
I guess what I’m wondering is, as a caregiver/wellness partner, do you pray? What do you pray for? I could be presumptuous and just state that you pray for the patients health, but I think it goes much deeper than simply praying for health. In some cases I’ve spoken with caregivers who pray for a peaceful death at a time when the patient is in hospice. I’ve witnessed caregivers praying for incremental changes instead of simply asking for the miracle of cure. It’s highly personal but no less powerful no matter how you pray or what you pray for.
We have these visions in our heads about what it means to pray. Depending on your religion you may kneel or bow. Some clasp their hands while others open their hands to the heavens. Some people pray by asking God to communicate with them in a dialogue and some very simply set an intention. The amazing thing about prayer is that it’s highly individual and private. In fact, I believe many people pray and don’t even know they are praying. Prayer is comforting and in times of uncertainty provide moments of quiet and peace.
The next time you are experiencing something on a deeply emotional level see if you catch yourself praying. Find how prayer can elevate your level of spiritual, emotional and physical health as well as spiritual stamina. Who wouldn’t want more stamina when engaged in the powerful role of caregiving?
Pilgrim Pathway/Surviving Strong 