wakey,

You just proved my point.

You said: <Even if these phrases have been used as part of some larger meditation or prayer framework, it's not clear why reliance on the Bible itself is necessary. Indeed, cherry-picking phrases that seem to have benefits while ignoring the rest does not aid one's recovery or one's understanding of the Bible

I did not cherry pick the verses and take them out of context. They are just a small part of a much larger message.

(or whatever document they are reading). One may be able to find a good way of dealing with pain by relying in part on some Bible verses. Indeed, if one is forced to cherry pick phrases and interpret them onto a theory, one wonders why those phrases are relevantly part of the exercise at all. The theory itself seems to do the work in these cases.

I don't understand why "[t]rying to explain the power of prayer to a non-believer is next to impossible." I think I understand it quite well.


Your denial of my explanation shows your inability to understand the power of prayer. Faith is an essential component of Christian belief. Those without faith will struggle to understand and believe.

Anxiety is a combination of physiological events and emotional and thought events. Medicine alone cannot resolve anxiety. Spiritual strength can enhance emotional strength.

It sounds like your experience is with the charlatan 'faith healer' and 'pray it away' self proclaimed 'minister.' I can understand how such an experience can challenge one's ability to relate to a believer's comments. I am sorry if you have had such an experience. Religious leaders of all varieties can be both helpful and damaging. I have seen both sides.

I understand what people are trying to do and what they think they are doing. I have (prior) personal experience in the matter, just like you. I think the exercise itself can be useful, but the method for doing it often presupposes a grandiosity that it simply does not require and does not exist.
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My position still stands. There is valid help available to believer's through spiritual counseling. Since anxiety can be such a large part of PCS, believer's should be willing to consider the value of spiritual counseling to strengthen their understanding of anxiety.