<p>Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there, goes a saying. Not when you are suffering from anxiety-related disorders as prayers may not ease symptoms for everyone.<br /><br /></p>.<p>According to a fascinating study, unanswered or otherwise unsuccessful experiences of prayer may be disturbing and debilitating - and may, therefore, lead to more frequent and severe symptoms of anxiety-related disorders.<br /><br />To understand this, researchers analysed data from 1,714 individuals who participated in the "Baylor Religion Survey" completed by the Gallup Organisation.<br /><br />The study focused on general anxiety, social anxiety, obsession and compulsion.<br /><br />It found that those who prayed to God whom they thought would be there to protect them were less likely to show symptoms of anxiety-related disorders than those who prayed but did not expect God to comfort or protect them.<br /><br />"Those who believe that God will be there to protect them during times of need develop a secure attachment to God. In this context, prayer appears to confer emotional comfort which results in fewer symptoms of anxiety-related disorders," explained Matt Bradshaw, an assistant professor of sociology at Texas-based Baylor University's college of arts & sciences.<br /><br />For many individuals, God is a major source of comfort and strength that makes the world seem less threatening and dangerous.<br /><br />But for some individuals who have insecure attachment to the almighty, prayer may feel like an unsuccessful attempt to cultivate and maintain an intimate relationship with God.<br /><br />"Our findings are consistent with a growing body of research indicating that a person's perceived relationship with God can play an important role in shaping mental health," researchers noted.<br /><br />The paper was published in the journal Sociology of Religion.<br /></p>
<p>Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there, goes a saying. Not when you are suffering from anxiety-related disorders as prayers may not ease symptoms for everyone.<br /><br /></p>.<p>According to a fascinating study, unanswered or otherwise unsuccessful experiences of prayer may be disturbing and debilitating - and may, therefore, lead to more frequent and severe symptoms of anxiety-related disorders.<br /><br />To understand this, researchers analysed data from 1,714 individuals who participated in the "Baylor Religion Survey" completed by the Gallup Organisation.<br /><br />The study focused on general anxiety, social anxiety, obsession and compulsion.<br /><br />It found that those who prayed to God whom they thought would be there to protect them were less likely to show symptoms of anxiety-related disorders than those who prayed but did not expect God to comfort or protect them.<br /><br />"Those who believe that God will be there to protect them during times of need develop a secure attachment to God. In this context, prayer appears to confer emotional comfort which results in fewer symptoms of anxiety-related disorders," explained Matt Bradshaw, an assistant professor of sociology at Texas-based Baylor University's college of arts & sciences.<br /><br />For many individuals, God is a major source of comfort and strength that makes the world seem less threatening and dangerous.<br /><br />But for some individuals who have insecure attachment to the almighty, prayer may feel like an unsuccessful attempt to cultivate and maintain an intimate relationship with God.<br /><br />"Our findings are consistent with a growing body of research indicating that a person's perceived relationship with God can play an important role in shaping mental health," researchers noted.<br /><br />The paper was published in the journal Sociology of Religion.<br /></p>