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Does prayer help us resist temptation? Talking to God boosts self-control and emotion

American

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Does prayer help us resist temptation? Talking to God boosts self-control and emotional stability, claims study | Mail Online

Praying helps people stay in control of their emotions and behaviour, according to a new study.

People turn to prayer 'as a coping response to the high demands in life' and are rewarded with increased strength and ability to resist temptation, researchers said.

Previous findings have shown that when people try hard to control their emotions and thoughts, the risk of aggressive outbursts and binge drinking or eating rises.
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Discuss.
 
Re: Does prayer help us resist temptation? Talking to God boosts self-control and emo

American said:
Does prayer help us resist temptation? Talking to God boosts self-control and emotional stability, claims study | Mail Online


Discuss.
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As a non-practicing Catholic, I think one of the concepts of prayer and talking to God is that you're always being watched. It's kind of like God has drones following everyone 24/7. There is, psychologically, something powerful about not wanting to "misbehave" when someone's watching you. We're also raised as children to think that Santa Claus is always watching us too, checking who's "naughty and nice" and we can only expect gifts or rewards if we're good and nice.

Religions, as institutions, are masters of guilt and guilt is very powerful in keeping people in line. Prayer is part of the guilt avoidance package, particularly for Catholics, where absolution is one of their great selling points, and prayer is the pennance you serve.
 
Re: Does prayer help us resist temptation? Talking to God boosts self-control and emo

American said:
Does prayer help us resist temptation? Talking to God boosts self-control and emotional stability, claims study | Mail Online


Discuss.
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Yes, praying does indeed helps. One who prays to God already has the desire to resist temptation.
Praying bolster that resistance - whether it be considered as psychological, or as indeed an answer from God (which is felt by firm believers).
 
Re: Does prayer help us resist temptation? Talking to God boosts self-control and emo

Of course it does. Stopping to think, or talking a situation over with your higher power (prayer), provides some impulse control. I am surprised that someone actually had to study that concept.
 
Re: Does prayer help us resist temptation? Talking to God boosts self-control and emo

CanadaJohn said:
As a non-practicing Catholic, I think one of the concepts of prayer and talking to God is that you're always being watched. It's kind of like God has drones following everyone 24/7. There is, psychologically, something powerful about not wanting to "misbehave" when someone's watching you. We're also raised as children to think that Santa Claus is always watching us too, checking who's "naughty and nice" and we can only expect gifts or rewards if we're good and nice.

Religions, as institutions, are masters of guilt and guilt is very powerful in keeping people in line. Prayer is part of the guilt avoidance package, particularly for Catholics, where absolution is one of their great selling points, and prayer is the pennance you serve.
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What's "worse" than God's seeing what you do is His knowing what's in your heart. Hence, "Let the words of my mouth and meditations of my heart be always acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer."

I can't say I agree with the Santa Claus theory because I'm not sure that there is necessarily a "reward" beyond knowing that your Father understands that you're earnestly striving. Some would say that this is reward enough.

I do understand that prayer can be a Catholic penance, but I'm uncomfortable with seeing prayer as a punishment. A contemplative opportunity, sure, but prayer is more than that. IMHO.
 
Re: Does prayer help us resist temptation? Talking to God boosts self-control and emo

Of course....being focused on ones faith keeps one from straying off the path. :)
 
Re: Does prayer help us resist temptation? Talking to God boosts self-control and emo

I see prayer as taking time to focus on the important things in ones life, to maintain priorities. I don't think it is fundamentally different than meditation. It's similar to writing a journal each day.

I think it's odd that one would expect communication from 'beyond', but the purpose (focus on priorities) and mechanics (taking time to do so) are sound.
 
Re: Does prayer help us resist temptation? Talking to God boosts self-control and emo

ttwtt78640 said:
Of course it does. Stopping to think, or talking a situation over with your higher power (prayer), provides some impulse control. I am surprised that someone actually had to study that concept.
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Although I agree, there are people who seem to use prayer in an attempt to gain some sort of devine intervention, in the way of "god" taking away the desire magically, rather than prayer as a form of seeking mental clarity on a matter which disturbs them. I think it depends heavily on expectations and the ability of the individual to act in a reasonable and emotionally sound manner, and on the concept that he/she has concerning what God is.
 
Re: Does prayer help us resist temptation? Talking to God boosts self-control and emo

nota bene said:
What's "worse" than God's seeing what you do is His knowing what's in your heart. Hence, "Let the words of my mouth and meditations of my heart be always acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer."

I can't say I agree with the Santa Claus theory because I'm not sure that there is necessarily a "reward" beyond knowing that your Father understands that you're earnestly striving. Some would say that this is reward enough.

I do understand that prayer can be a Catholic penance, but I'm uncomfortable with seeing prayer as a punishment. A contemplative opportunity, sure, but prayer is more than that. IMHO.
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That's certainly all fair - I think what I failed to express in my first post and may be helpful is that while I'm a non-practicing Catholic, I'm still a person of faith - I just refuse to let the structure and personalities of the Catholic Church ruin my faith.
 
Re: Does prayer help us resist temptation? Talking to God boosts self-control and emo

lizzie said:
Although I agree, there are people who seem to use prayer in an attempt to gain some sort of devine intervention, in the way of "god" taking away the desire magically, rather than prayer as a form of seeking mental clarity on a matter which disturbs them. I think it depends heavily on expectations and the ability of the individual to act in a reasonable and emotionally sound manner, and on the concept that he/she has concerning what God is.
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I agree, and many people who are suffering from addictions or difficulties with temptations will blame their faith or lose faith if their prayers for help aren't answered, not realizing that if there truly is a God, he/she loves us even more for our imperfections and helps us overcome them if we start to value ourselves as much as he/she values us.
 
Re: Does prayer help us resist temptation? Talking to God boosts self-control and emo

ecofarm said:
I see prayer as taking time to focus on the important things in ones life, to maintain priorities. I don't think it is fundamentally different than meditation. It's similar to writing a journal each day.

I think it's odd that one would expect communication from 'beyond', but the purpose (focus on priorities) and mechanics (taking time to do so) are sound.
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Actually, Christians believe that God resides within human hearts. (See Jeremiah 31: 31-34). So in that sense it's hardly from 'beyond'. In order for prayers to be answered, faith is first required. So to those without faith, there's really not much to talk about.
 
Re: Does prayer help us resist temptation? Talking to God boosts self-control and emo

humbolt said:
Actually, Christians believe that God resides within human hearts. (See Jeremiah 31: 31-34). So in that sense it's hardly from 'beyond'.
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Do you deny deity?
 
Re: Does prayer help us resist temptation? Talking to God boosts self-control and emo

ecofarm said:
Do you deny deity?
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No, I'm just providing a reference for those interested. God exists where one may find Him, but the idea that this is from 'beyond' is in some senses not accurate other than God being an entity existing independently from our reality.
 
Re: Does prayer help us resist temptation? Talking to God boosts self-control and emo

humbolt said:
the idea that this is from 'beyond' is in some senses not accurate other than God being an entity existing independently from our reality.
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Deity
 
Re: Does prayer help us resist temptation? Talking to God boosts self-control and emo

humbolt said:
Which is not limited by our perception.
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A deity is beyond us. A will of its own, not dependent on us - external. That which is beyond our perception is still influenced. God, capital G (deity), is not influenced by you or anyone else.

Do you deny that you bear influence beyond your perception?
 
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Re: Does prayer help us resist temptation? Talking to God boosts self-control and emo

ecofarm said:
A deity is beyond us. A will of its own, not dependent on us - external. That which is beyond our perception is still influenced . God, capital G (deity), is not influenced by you or anyone else.
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Actually God is profoundly influenced by us - the Christian version, at least. I don't dispute your view of God. It's yours. Mine is somewhat different, and I hasten to add it's based on personal, anecdotal experience more than any other thing.
 
Re: Does prayer help us resist temptation? Talking to God boosts self-control and emo

humbolt said:
Actually God is profoundly influenced by us - the Christian version, at least. I don't dispute your view of God. It's yours. Mine is somewhat different, and I hasten to add it's based on personal, anecdotal experience more than any other thing.
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I've no view of God - influence beyond us. I only believe in influence beyond our perception. I fear god, just not as deity.
 
Re: Does prayer help us resist temptation? Talking to God boosts self-control and emo

ecofarm said:
I've no view of God - influence beyond us. I only believe in influence beyond our perception. I fear god, just not as deity.
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Whether you pray or meditate, reflect or whatever - to God, to god, or to whatever - that you do so is enough. I offer no prescription to those with views differing from mine in this regard. I find prayer invaluable.
 
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