Author: Kirkimbaeva Sandugash
Translator: Yurankyzy Saltanat
Copy editor: Kigbaeva Kamilа
It was difficult to study the effect of prayer on a person, but the research we have shown that it can reduce feelings of isolation, anxiety, and fear. Carol Kochon prayed 42 days in isolation when her husband was hospitalized with Covid-19.
On March 17, 2020, Rob Kochon felt unwell and had shortness of breath for four days, after which he was hospitalized in Florida. He was diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia. The next day, the coronavirus test was positive. On Friday, Rob was transferred to the city center at Advent Health Orlando so that he could be intubated.
While Rob was in the hospital, Carol felt lonely, sad, worried and was afraid of the unknown. Being a faithful Christian for over 40 years, she turned to God and meditated on biblical writings. “I think it inspired me,” Carol said. “The goal was to abandon our own desires and join God in order to hear all that he wanted to say. I really felt God's peace telling me that I should not worry about it. Therefore, I did not worry. I usually plan my actions, but I knew one thing that God had his own plan. "
Carol and Rob consider prayer to be one of the factors that led to his recovery. Soon Rob returned home, now recovering. Kochons are not the only people who have prayed for the consequences of the pandemic. In March, the Pew Research Center reported that during a survey, 55% of adult Americans said they prayed to stop the spread of coronavirus. Most USA Americans and Christians who pray daily turned to prayer during an outbreak. But so did those who rarely prayed, and even people who did not belong to any religion.
“People often turn to prayer in situations where they experience strong negative feelings, such as anger, grief, or fear,” said Brad Bushman, a professor of communication at Ohio State University.
People pray:
- for specific results;
- share your anxiety and suffering;
- to express gratitude;
Prayer can foster a sense of connection, whether with a higher power, with what a person considers important in life or with his values, says Ryan Bremner, an assistant professor of psychology at St. Thomas University in Minnesota.
A 2009 study on the effect of prayer on depression and anxiety showed that group members had lower rates of depression and anxiety and were more optimistic after sessions in which they prayed for each other, compared to a control group (which did not have prayer sessions).
A 2011 study found that prayer can help reduce anger and aggression. In a series of experiments in which participants either prayed or thought about the person who angered them or a needy friend, members of the prayer group were more likely to feel less anger and aggression after provocation. Another study found that married partners who prayed for each other were less aggressive.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/
