Prayer Aids In Childhood Trauma Recovery
Prayer is a way to communicate with God and be closer to our Creator. But did you know that prayer can rewire your brain? Researchers looked at two different types of prayer: praying in tongues (glossolalia) and centering prayer.
Praying in tongues affects the brain
One study measured the regional cerebral blood flow during praying in tongues. What researchers found by studying the brain of people while they spoke in tongues is that the frontal lobes, parietal lobes, and left caudate were most affected. Decreased cerebral blood flow activity in the prefrontal cortices was also found. In other words, praying in tongues changes brain activity. Another study looked at speaking in tongues and its ability to reduce stress. What researchers found is a link between speaking in tongues and stress reduction.
“Glossolalia brain function appears to be more similar to other trance-like states in which the frontal lobe activity diminishes as the person loses their sense of purposely performing the practice,” said Andrew Newberg from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. “In some sense, it is the opposite of the concentrative process of meditation.”
How to speak in tongues
In Pentecostal theology, speaking in tongues is the initial physical evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit, a second experience after conversion. The Apostle Paul speaks of it in Acts 2, 10, and 19. John the Baptist proclaimed, “I indeed have baptized you with water. But He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 1:8).
If you want this experience, ask God to give it to you. He longs to give good gifts to His children. The key to receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of praying in tongues is to speak out whatever God gives you. Yes, that means speaking out what sounds like gibberish to you. And once you start praying in tongues, remember to keep doing so.
Centering prayer and childhood trauma
Researchers studied a type of silent prayer called centering prayer. During centering prayer, a word or phrase is used throughout the prayer when the mind wanders. What researchers found is that centering prayer is a “suitable treatment alternative for many Christians in remission from depressive episodes.” In other words, centering prayer can be used to help heal trauma.
Contemplative Outreach describes centering prayer as a “ method of silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer, prayer in which we experience God's presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself.” As with so many things, there is an app called Centering Prayer to help you practice. It is available for both android phones and iPhones.
If you are ready to deepen your prayer life, prayer this pray:
Oh Lord, I surrender to You. I come to you asking for empowerment to deepen my prayer life, my communication with You. I know that I can only pray in your strength and in Your name, the name above all names. Let me feel Your presence as I spend time with You.
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