Praying Together in Utah? Check Out This New Study

Studies About Praying for the Sick 

Many studies have been done on the effectiveness of praying for people who are sick starting way back in Ireland in 1872. The results have shown a benefit to prayer, but additional studies also show the results are kind of murky. 

A recent study by the John Templeton Foundation looked at the effects of prayer on the one praying rather than the one being prayed for. They specifically looked at couples who were getting counseling for their relationship and how prayer can help with the outcome. 

The Difference Between Praying and Thinking Positive Thoughts 

They asked couples who were getting relationship counseling to pray for their partner. With some they had just one pray for the other and some had both praying together. In both cases, the couples reported a more forgiving and loving change in their relationship. 

They also had one group pray while another group spent time thinking positive thoughts about the partner. Both of these had a positive response from the couples, but interestingly, the ones who prayed had a greater long-term effect. 

Read More: Southern Utah/Nevada #1 for Marriage

It may not be too surprising that people who consciously try to see others in a positive light would have better relationships. What I think is interesting is how doing it with prayer seems to have a solidifying effect. The relationship continues in a better place. 

There is much more to the study than I have mentioned here. We all want better and more significant relationships with others. This might be one way to find it.