Comments on: Weekly Faith and Health Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-20 Power to Change Behavior

By: Alycia

Alycia — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 02:16:16 +0000

I have experienced this type of power to change behavior, and it changed my life. In my desire to be closer to God, I listed the things I’d like to see happen in my life – I surrendered them to God. One thing on my list was to be a healthy weight. I allowed God to love me intimately, and through his power, he delivered me from my emotional eating. The change was immediate – I began losing two pounds a week. I was 10 pounds lighter before I realized what was happening. I asked God whether I need to go to the doctor, and he replied with, “I delivered you.” I’m 50 years old, and I’m truly in love with God. I’m healthy, my relationships are healthy, my marriage is healthy. All because I experienced the love of Jesus, intimately and personally.

By: dale

dale — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 16:31:39 +0000

Thanks for your comment Paul. I went to Wikipedia and found this on Centering Prayer:

Basil Pennington, one of the best known proponents of the centering prayer technique, has delineated the guidelines for centering prayer:

1. Sit comfortably with your eyes closed, relax, and quiet yourself. Be in love and faith to God.
2. Choose a sacred word that best supports your sincere intention to be in the Lord’s presence and open to His divine action within you (i.e. “Jesus,” “Lord,” “God,” “Savior,” “Abba,” “Divine,” “Shalom,” “Spirit,” “Love,” etc.).
3. Let that word be gently present as your symbol of your sincere intention to be in the Lord’s presence and open to His divine action within you.
4. Whenever you become aware of anything (thoughts, feelings, perceptions, images, associations, etc.), simply return to your sacred word, your anchor.

It seems that the focus here is on a word. I would say that the bible guides us to contemplate or meditate on the nature of God and Jesus as opposed to be fixed on certain words. As the scripture for this week indicates, it is through experiencing the love of Jesus that we receive power from God.

What I am wondering if you experience the love of Jesus when you pray in a centering type prayer?

You mention that you’re unaware of research that shows Christians are healthier. The research is showing that people who practice a faith and hold to certain beliefs and attitudes do seem to live longer. In some studies they have lower blood pressure. Take a look at some of the links under the Connection tab on my site to read about these studies.

Thanks!

By: Paul Maurice Martin

Paul Maurice Martin — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 04:09:04 +0000

It doesn’t seem to me that turning to Jesus makes people more moral or healthier. I’m unaware that Christians have ever been involved in fewer scandals, crimes, or wars, or that they’re psychologically or physically healthier than other groups of persons.

That said, I found the Centering Prayer as taught by the late Fr. Basil Pennington, truly enriching so far as my spiritual life and psychological wellness goes. But it doesn’t involve thinking about Jesus – it’s a wordless form of turning to God.