Recently, I heard from my college roommate, Scott, who is now a Southern Baptist minister at a church near Sylva, NC. I learned that his wife, Lisa, who had been experiencing health issues, had to go to the hospital, where doctors determined she needed splints for her heart. Further analysis then showed she needed immediate surgery, and she underwent a triple bypass to save her life. She had a 90% blockage in one artery, and two others also had significant blockages. The good news was that she came through the surgery very well, and her recovery amazed the hospital staff. She credits her recovery to people praying for her, and I’m encouraged to see her daily updates on Facebook.

I do know that when I heard about her health issues, I immediately started contacting people I knew from college, including an old college Bible study group Scott and I were involved in, via Facebook and text messaging, asking them to pray for Lisa. I knew they would start praying. I might refer to some of these individuals as prayer warriors, and a crisis like this often motivates them to pray.

This made me investigate how prayer helps the sick. While studies show mixed results for physical healing, they often show prayer improves mental health, boosts positive feelings, and strengthens social ties. Faith followers also mention spiritual gains, especially the value of community within their church and beyond.

Research shows that prayer may not always heal others, but it does produce noticeable activity in the brain. One study found that personal, made-up prayers activate the same brain regions that help us think about other people's thoughts and feelings. These areas light up during personal prayer but not during memorized prayers. This suggests that personal prayer feels more like a social interaction than a purely mental task. This helps explain why many people find personal, heartfelt prayer more meaningful than traditional prayers.

I never thought of it that way. I always believed that praying for others primarily benefited them, but I now realize it also benefits those who pray. This explains why the Bible encourages us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to “Pray without ceasing” and in Colossians 4:2 to “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Additionally, Philippians 4:6-7 advises, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” 

When you see a prayer request on our prayer chain or someone asks you to pray, don’t see it as a burden. Be a prayer warrior! You’re not only helping others but also benefiting yourself, your church, your community, this nation, and the world.

Take care and keep praying!

Bill R