Prayer Boosts Self-Control and Emotional Stability

Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

A new study says that prayer helps people stay in control of emotions and behavior.

The researchers say prayer as a method to cope with “high demads in life” provided people with increased strength and the ability to resist temptation.  The results come along a previous study that shows when people just “tried hard to control emotions and thoughts” they risked aggressive outbursts and binge drinking or eating.

A similar study a year earlier showed people who believed in God showed more improvement in treatment for depression than those without faith.

The German researchers behind the study said that “a brief period of personal prayer buffered the self-control depletion effect according to the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology online.

The study said those who prayed and tried to suppress their emotions showed more overall energy without losing stamina than those who did not pray and attempted the same emotional suppression.

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