The following is a brief article found in the January 2, 2012 issue of FIRST magazine:
The Lord's Prayer Activates the Happiness/Energy Area Of the Brain
When Danish researchers at Aarhus University asked 20 devout Christians to offer up a personal prayer, recite the Lord's Prayer, recite a rhyme and wish to Santa Claus while having MRI scans of their brains, they discovered some surprising differences. While both prayers activated a part of the brain called the dorsal striatum, which is associated with the release of dopamine (a neurotransmitter that fights tiredness, depression and cravings), the Lord's Prayer had more than double the positive effect.
Why? In the paper, the researchers speculate that it could be due to the fact that the Lord's Prayer "according to Christian tradition, is sanctioned by Jesus as encompassing all important aspects of life. This God-given authorization may reinforce practitioners' expectations of reciprocity in comparison with the often more idiosyncratic and individual requests in personal prayers." As for rhyme and wishing to Santa Claus? Both decreased the activation of this dopamine-releasing part of the brain.
I often chuckle when I read scientific studies that claim to find something that the faithful in Christ already know via God's Word, the Bible! Nonetheless, it is extremely telling that the power of prayer - specifically, The Lord's Prayer - has double the positive effect on the brains of individuals who recite it. It just goes to show that the Lord Jesus Christ provided the most perfect prayer for us; and it is to be used as a model for our own individual prayers.
As I have stated many times at this blog, "science is always trying to catch up to God."
The fear (meaning reverence) of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. -
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven. Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy Will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, now and forever. Amen.
Says it all...doesn't it?
I would like to take this opportunity to wish all members, readers, and guests a very Merry and Blessed Christmas!
Keep Christ in Christmas!
In Christ's service,
~ Christine
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4 comments:
Christine said: “I often chuckle when I read scientific studies that claim to find something that the faithful in Christ already know via God's Word, the Bible . . . . It just goes to show that the Lord Jesus Christ provided the most perfect prayer for us; and it is to be used as a model for our own individual prayers.”
I chuckle with you, my friend. I have heard that laughter is good medicine; however, the written Word of God actually says: “A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones” (Proverbs 17:22, RSV).
Holy Scripture also tells us: “All the days of the afflicted are evil, but he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast” (Proverbs 15:15, NKJV).
My personal belief is that one must have “ears to hear” the voice of God when reading the Holy Scriptures. The written Word of God is made alive by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Sometimes it is difficult to find friends who believe in the spiritual realm… my thought is that such human beings created in the image of God are merely a remnant… a very powerful remnant who are chosen by the ONE G-D of ISRAEL!
Keep shining Christine… I like the LIGHT from the Star in the East you are reflecting from the west coast of the United States of America… hmmm… I know I am seeing it from the east coast… so glad you have readers all over this world from the east to the west who can see!
Loving you on this special eve of a traditional Christian holiday… Happy Hanukkah from a heart overflowing with righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit… after all, that IS the biblical definition of the Kingdom of God (Romans 14:17, most translations)… now isn’t it? (ss)
I've recited the Lord's Prayer, and I've recited a rhyme. I don't know what 'withing' to Santa Claus is, but it seem mysterious enough to investigate more closely.
Mind providing a link to that article?
It was a typo, GM. It was supposed to read, "wishing" to Santa Claus. I have corrected the error.
Here is a link to the magazine subscription page, but it does not look like you can access any part of the magazine online. You will either have to pick up your own copy of the magazine, or trust that I am telling you the truth about the article.
Oh, Christine! Of course I trust that you are telling me the truth of the article. But I still want to read it in full myself.
Thanks for the link, incomplete as it is. I'll take it from here.
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