6-12 May

Q: How does prayer enhance health?

ABSTRACT

An obvious by-product of the ever-increasing range of life expectancy is the myriad of problems that range from chemical and medical debilitation to emotional and mental problems, such as depression, loneliness, anxiety, and fear among the elderly. The lack of purpose and meaning and a feeling of uselessness is a major problem of this demographic segment.

While rigorous scientific research has clearly identified salutary effects of religion on health, and well-thought-out hypotheses describe the mechanisms believed to impart these effects, a tremendous chasm remains-the gap between empirical findings and post hoc explanations.

Using an experimental design, we are proposing research based on informal programs and studies initiated by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, under the aegis "School for the Elderly," that successfully overcome much of the aforementioned dysfunction. Through reacclimation to languages and lifestyles of their youth, the inner spirituality of elderly Jews surfaces.

The positive emotions experienced in prayer and worship also have been posited to be health enhancing. Kaplan, Munroe-Blum, and Blazer (1994) and Rossi (1993) outline the psychoneuroimmunological and neuroendocrine pathways known to cause physiological responses and the release of emotion and stress. Kaplan, Munroe-Blum, and Blazer (1994) also link health with a "forgiving heart."

They hypothesize forgiveness, of oneself and others, as an additional mechanism by which positive health results are realized. While there is little scientific literature on the relationship of forgiveness to biological and psychological health, these researchers suggest a strong relationship in their treatise "Religion, Health and Forgiveness." Using Jacoby's characterization of "forgiveness as an expression of the noblest possibilities of human nature" (p. 68), and juxtaposing the ignoble, destructive emotions of revenge, hate, and anger, they begin to build their case. They then explain that through Scriptural study and devotional prayer one develops a relationship with, and comes to identify with, a merciful and forgiving G-d. Identifying with this compassionate and merciful G-d encourages forgiveness on a human level. Kaplan hypothesizes the ability to forgive, learned through relationship with the kind, compassionate, and forgiving Divine other, as a critical construct to be explored in the quest to fully understand the association between religion and health.

The notions of a self-fulfilling prophecy or a placebo effect may also explain the relationship between religion and health. Ellison and Levin (1998) suggest that the belief that G-d will reward expressions of piety, devotion, and observance, may be enough to account for positive health outcomes and subjective health, even in the face of illness. This hypothesis may explain transcendence of subjective perceptions of well-being and functionality over objectively diagnosed disease states among the more religiously committed.

Supra-empirical mechanisms have also been hypothesized in the attempt to understand religion's effect on health. Current literature documents scores of methodologically rigorous studies investigating the efficacy of prayer and other forms of spiritual healing, energy healing, therapeutic touch, and Chi. This growing body of literature documents results beyond those possible by random or placebo effect. Among the most distinguished of these studies is Byrd's (1988) investigation of intercessory prayer, which documented statistically significant improved recuperative courses for those intensive care cardiac patients prayed for without their knowledge. Alternative and complementary modalities are now considered medicines; the National Institute of Health funds investigational works in these fields. This study would be remiss if it failed to recognize mechanisms that science is unable, at this time, to quantify.

BIO
Pamela Elfenbein completed an MSW at Barry College in Miami and a PhD in medical sociology at the University of Miami in Coral Gables. Since 1978 she has been involved in social work for the elderly in the Miami area. In 1999 she was appointed director of education and training for the Southeast Florida Center on Aging of Florida International University. Dr. Elfenbein is applying her professional experience and knowledge to initiate a pioneering Torah study and prayer program for the elderly in conjunction with The Shul of Bal Harbour in Miami, where she and her family are active congregants.

Elfenbp@fiu.edu

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