The Importance of Prayer in Healing
By Reverend Al Johnson

Several days ago, Larry King had both Dr. DeePak Chopra and Dr. Oz on his evening television show.  The subject was related to whether the power of prayer was effective in the healing process.  Both of these medical personalities approached the power of prayer in somewhat different directions. 

Dr. Chopra mentioned that there was a connection between mind and body and that prayer can change the dynamics and that healing can occur if, indeed, the patient wants healing to take place.  He further stated that there were many instances where healing has occurred. 

Dr. Oz was more cautious about prayer being a tool in the curative process although he agreed that the attitude of the patent was important in recovery.

There was a project that the Maharishi Yogi once tried in New York City.  He contended that his meditators could reduce the incidence of crime in New York City during the time that his meditators were meditating there.  And, indeed, the crime rate did fall.  Of course, it would be difficult to verify whether there were a lot of other elements that contributed to the fall of crime during that period of time.  Recently, the Governor of Georgia prayed for rain in that state as drought there was damaging crops and creating a problem with the water supply.  The drought goes on.

It is my contention that many of us pray to God as absolute principle but that God cannot change his or her mind because that Being we call God is not a person in the sense that human beings are persons.  Having said this, the unity of people in prayer can change the circumstances whether they be physical, emotional or geopolitical.  I say this because quantum physics has proven that light particles can be moved by our minds, so there is no reason why prayer cannot change our physical circumstances.

Prayers, particularly affirmative prayers, have in many instances provided cures.  Now can prayer cure cancer or other debilitating diseases?  The scientific jury is still out on this, but it is my belief that affirmative prayer is powerful tool in the curative process.  The co-founder of Unity, Myrtle Fillmore, had debilitating tuberculosis as a young person.  She contends that affirmative prayer works and, indeed, it worked for her as her tuberculosis disappeared.

Dr. Larry Dossey and others in the medical field have counseled people to pray.  I can testify to this.   Ten years ago, doctors found a small kidney cancer in my right kidney.  A Dr. Prohit, who practices in the Hemet-Sun City area, took out the cancer. 

I remember as I went under the anesthetic, I prayed for the doctor and all those who were attending my operation.  Two years later I had to undergo dialysis treatment.  I have been on dialysis for over eight years and I am doing well. 
I personally believe that prayer gave me strength and pulled me through my difficult medical circumstances. The mind, working through the power of prayer, can keep one healthy.  One cannot change God's mind, but you can certainly change yours.