Thank you for joining the Partners in Health and Wholeness Book Club. You can officially sign-up here. Through it, we hope to engage people of faith in discussions over why our health matters. Just look for the picture of the apple on the books and you will find past Book Club entries. Our current choice of reading is “The Circle Maker” by Mark Batterson.
While prayer is not a replacement for good health choices and appropriate medical care, as people of faith, we believe prayer plays an essential role in our lives. In addition, studies have shown it can improve medical outcomes and that it boosts physical and emotional health.
I’m excited to talk about prayer and health. It is this essential ingredient of our faith that helps to connect us to the Sovereign Lord. Prayer is more than easing your mind of worry, or translating our worry into words for God to hear. Prayers can be our “DTR” or “define this relationship” talk with the Lord, very similar to the conversation that the partners in every couple, especially new ones, have at some point. In other words, we get to pour our hearts out to the Lord according to what our hearts desire for the Lord to know about us. We are defining how much to let the Lord in to change our lives as well as defining what we are expecting to see from the Lord.
Batterson says, “It is absolutely imperative at the outset that you come to terms with this simple yet life-changing truth: God is for you.”
There is a scripture that reminds me of this quote. “What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?”
I incorporate prayer and healthy habits together. Before I sit down to eat, I say a short prayer. I’m sure you do this, as this is a common practice in many faith traditions. When I started walking this past summer, or when I did walk, I would pray and walk at the same time. Prayer has accompanied many of my health changes. In fact, I’m constantly praying that the Lord will help shape my health to what it should be.
I don’t limit prayer to just my healthy habits, but as I am starting this planting season, I pray over the seeds. I pray that I will harvest love, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the fruit of the seed that I plant. There is something really special and powerful with prayer. And as we journey together to be healthier, I hope that you will include your story among the many others. You can do so here.
