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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Looks like daily prayer can decrease anxiety and increase pain tolerance.  It seems with a try for 20 minutes a day for two weeks.

Is spirituality a critical ingredient of meditation? Comparing the effects of spiritual meditation, secular meditation, and relaxation on spiritual, psychological, cardiac, and pain outcomes
Amy B Wachholtz et al. J Behav Med. 2005 Aug.

Abstract

This study compared secular and spiritual forms of meditation to assess the benefits of a spiritual intervention. Participants were taught a meditation or relaxation technique to practice for 20 min a day for two weeks. After two weeks, participants returned to the lab, practiced their technique for 20 min, and placed their hand in a cold-water bath of 2 degrees C for as long as they could endure it. The length of time that individuals kept their hand in the water bath was measured. Pain, anxiety, mood, and the spiritual health were assessed following the two-week intervention. Significant interactions occurred (time x group); the Spiritual Meditation group had greater decreases in anxiety and more positive mood, spiritual health, and spiritual experiences than the other two groups. They also tolerated pain almost twice as long as the other two groups.[/quote]

I can give you the studies in a Hospice setting.  We know that when people are in spiritual pain, it makes it much more difficult to control terminal agitation and pain.  Many, many studies have been done on this.  When I visit a patient in Hospice, I'm not seeking to convert them or convince them of a God.  It doesn't matter.  What does matter is their spiritual health. [b] We are spiritual beings having a human experience. [/b] I may never use the word "prayer".  I may offer a guided meditation - it's a prayer.  I may listen as they talk about their struggles - That's a form of prayer.  They often see deceased loved ones.  We talk to them together - that's prayer.  Prayer is communication with a higher power.  That higher power may be your God.  Or it could be your higher self.  Your ancestors.  Nature.  The Universe.  Universal Source.  Source Energy.  Doesn't matter what we call it.  [b]Trying to use human language to describe the creative consciousness of the universe is impossible.[/b]

I've seen prayer instantly decrease pain in patients previously miserable. I've seen terminal agitation stop with prayer.  It's powerful stuff.
[/quote]

Says the hospice chaplain who thinks her beliefs are facts[/quote]

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