Faith and Healing: Part 2

I have received quite a bit of positive feedback from our video at the service on Sunday and my subsequent blog posting.  The whole concept of faith and healing has been stuck in my mind over the last few days, and I was reminded of an article I read in Time magazine shortly after my surgery.  It was titled The Biology of Belief, and explored the science behind how faith plays a role in the healing process.  You can read the entire article on your own if you wish here, but I will give you some of the highlights.

According to the article;

• People who attend religious services are at a lower risk of dying in any one year than people who don't attend.
• One study found that heart patients that were prayed for fared better than those who were not.
• Another study found the opposite.
• Church attendance accounts for two to three additional years life.
• People who believe that their lives have meaning live live longer then people who don't.
• In one study, 75% of newly diagnosed cancer patients whose doctor's discussed religious questions with them, showed improved quality of life.

According to me;

Science cannot really explain the benefits of having faith and praying when you are sick and in need of healing.  There are too many variables to truly pinpoint the effect that prayer and faith has on the healing process.  But I think that is the point.

To have faith and believe in a healing God cannot be defined or proved by science.  You just have to believe.  I know I have.  And I believe that it has worked for me.

Of  course I know that I would not be sitting here right now without an entire team of incredible doctors and amazing advancements in the field of medicine.  But I also believe that I am sitting here right now because God has more in store for me.  I am not sure exactly what that is, but I believe in it anyway.