And here, research throws a bone to intercessory prayer. Studies have shown that people who pray to God about problems in this way achieve a positive emotional effect, similar to if they’d seen a therapist. Prayer helps us grieve what we’ve lost, forgive those who’ve hurt us, and maintain a positive outlook on life. Intercessory prayer is useful and beneficial in helping people surrender to and process their emotions, and heal from trauma. But there’s yet another type of prayer to consider. Unlike traditional Christian prayer, contemplative prayer is a nonverbal experience. It’s the act of
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