Whatever our own personal practices or beliefs, science is documenting how our brain changes when we pray and meditate.  Blood flow increases to various areas of the brain.  Here's a short segment on the study of the brain and prayer from the Science Channel-

http://science.discovery.com/tv-shows/through-the-wormhole/videos/your-brain-on-prayer.htm

Finding time for meditation or prayerful practice is important for the health of our brains.  It increases nitric oxide, encourages cerebral blood flow and generates neuroplasticity-

http://www.bioscience-bioethics.org/pdfs/meditation_eubios_paper.pdf

I recently finished reading a book which is on the NY Times bestseller list.  Maybe you're reading it, too?  It's written by a neurosurgeon, and is a first-hand account of his experience of the afterlife and return to the living.  It's called, "Proof of Heaven."

http://www.amazon.com/Proof-Heaven-Neurosurgeons-Journey-Afterlife/dp/1451695195

I won't give away any more spoilers---suffice it to say, it's recommended reading. And I found it ironic that a neurosurgeon is attempting to explain his anecdotal experience and convince a world of dispassionate scientists that Heaven is real.   But I wanted to tie in one important aspect of Dr. Alexander's experience to prayer.  While Dr. Alexander was in his coma, his saw the faces and heard the prayers of those who were interceeding on his behalf.  Whether or not they were seated beside him in the hospital, or across the country.  The reality of their prayers touched his conciousness and imprinted him.  And perhaps changed his destiny.

Whether or not you personally believe in communicating with a divine creator, or interceeding on someone else's behalf---I think it's important to understand that this practice changes the brain, increases cerebral bloodflow, and enhances our lives and the lives of others.  And it's real to our brains.  In Dr. Alexander's experience, it was a real contributor to his will to live, and his desire to return to his earthly life.

--but outside of the benefits to our own health and well-being, it can connect us in ways that science is only just beginning to comprehend.  As Dr. Alexander's first hand account shows us, our understanding of the brain and our interconnectedness is in its infancy.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 

and that gives us great hope.

be well,

Joan