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St. Mary's Parish Nurse Ministry Program
Ruth E. Williams, RN, MEPD, MSN
| St. Mary's Parish Nurse Newsletter... February, 2002 |
Dear Viewers, Peace be to you in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. February recognizes Ash Wednesday as the beginning of Lent, St. Valentine's Day, and healthy heart month. This month let us focus on the power of prayer and healing. "I am the Lord your healer" (Exodus 15:26). The power of prayer is experiencing wellness. In James 5:16 "Pray for one another that you maybe healed." What effect does prayer have on healing? |
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Studies show that patients prayed for (intercessory prayers)
experience less complications, do better, heal faster, receive less
antibiotics and diuretics, have less visits to the doctor and spend less
time in the hospital when hospitalized. Further studies show that
people who pray tend to get sick less often, live healthier lives and
live longer, have lower blood pressures, less strokes, heart attacks,
and depression and when depressed recover faster.
Studies of prayer have been conducted by Harvard University Dr. Herbert Benson and he states that all forms of prayer evoke a relaxation process that decreases stress, soothes the body, and promotes healing. The prayers of repetition of sound and words cause healing effects. The repetitious prayer used by Catholics is the rosary, Protestants use centering, Buddhists use meditation, and Jewish use dovening. Research on the power of prayer and healing has nearly doubled in the last ten years. May our lives during this month of February reflect the words of St. Paul, "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). | |
| Ruth E. Williams, RN, MEPD, MSN 789 N. Central Richland Center, WI 53581 608-647-3280 e-mail: rew@mwt.net |
Copyright © 2001-2007. Revised April 30, 2005. |
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