To pray or not to pray: Reflections on the intersection of prayer and medicine

Recent medical studies documenting the influence of prayer in our physical lives challenge mainstream Christians to rethink their ideas and practice of prayer. A new model of prayer questions dysfunctional images of prayer based on 1) the doctrine of divine omnipotence, 2) the rewards-punishments no...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of religion and health
Main Author: Epperly, Bruce Gordon 1952- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Springer Science + Business Media B. V. [1995]
In: Journal of religion and health
Further subjects:B Human Existence
B Technological Context
B Multidimensional Image
B Medical Study
B Divine Omnipotence
Online Access: Volltext (Resolving-System)
Description
Summary:Recent medical studies documenting the influence of prayer in our physical lives challenge mainstream Christians to rethink their ideas and practice of prayer. A new model of prayer questions dysfunctional images of prayer based on 1) the doctrine of divine omnipotence, 2) the rewards-punishments notion of health and illness, and 3) linear notions of the power of prayer. Relational, holistic, and multidimensional images of God, human existence, and the effects of prayer provide the basis for a constructive theology of prayer. Ironically, the fact that prayer is not omnipotent makes it possible to practice prayer in a technological context.
ISSN:1573-6571
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal of religion and health
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1007/BF02248770