Prayer, derived from the Latin word precarius, which means “to obtain by entreaty or begging,” is much more than just asking God for things. Prayer has been study-proven to help people feel God’s presence, alleviate burden of control and make it easier to be thankful and stay focused on sobriety. One study in the Journal of Reward Deficiency Syndrome found that praying can even play a role in preventing people in addiction recovery from returning to using. Indeed, prayer has host of benefits, including:
• Stronger emotional health and better emotional stability
• Decreased anxiety and depression
• Improved learning and memory
• Increased happiness
If you’ve been to an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting, you’re likely familiar with a host of prayers, including the serenity prayer: “God grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, courage to change the things we can, and wisdom to know the difference.” AA has a long-held tradition of using prayer to battle addiction. Its founder Bill Wilson was inspired by the Oxford Group, a spiritual fellowship popular in the early half of the 20th century. In one study by NYU Langone Medical Center, members who recited AA prayers after viewing drinking-related images reported less craving for alcohol after praying than after just reading a newspaper. The reduced cravings in those that prayed corresponded to increased activity in brain regions responsible for attention and emotion, according to researchers.
Prayer also play a big role in lowering stress hormones and creating a greater sense of calm and relaxation. That’s because it slows breathing and brain activity and reduces heart rate and blood pressure. Prayer can make you more positive, too. Individuals with major depressive disorder, who practice religion daily, have been found to be more optimistic than their non-religious peers, according to a study in Depression and Anxiety.
Our faith-based treatment can help you or someone you love learn to use the power of prayer to stay on the path of recovery. To learn more about our Christian addiction rehab in California, call us today.
Are you ready to get help for you or a loved one? Request more information or get in contact with us using this form. One of our trained professionals will get in contact with you soon to get you started on your road to recovery. If you are ready to take the next step and learn more about how a Christian rehab center can aid in your recovery, feel free to reach out to us at any time. We are here to support you on your journey through drug or alcohol addiction and look forward to walking by your side with faith-based compassion.
3822 Campus Drive
Suite 100
Newport Beach,
Orange County, CA
92600