From Publishers Weekly
Competently combining traditional Christian philosophy and prayer styles with common sense self-help, this work shows how to use prayer to cure, alleviate or prevent the blows of daily life. The authors add little new information or methods to the canon of psychotherapy, but gently remind readers that they can easily take small steps toward caring about themselves and others. In several very brief chapters, this book could work well as a resource for daily affirmations for people who are facing medical or personal crises. Medical ethicists and researchers have been looking into the impact of prayer on recovery from illness or injuries. Some of those studies have indicated that prayer can have a positive effect on a patient's recovery. Authors Caine and Kaufman use the results to inspire readers to pray, rather than educate them about how prayer works. They give clear instructions on the mechanics of prayer, and illustrate their points with passages from the Bible and other Christian writings. The final section of the book, "Prayer Prescriptions," gives a heavily Christian perspective on dealing with subjects ranging from abuse to financial difficulties to weight loss. Prayer, Faith and Healing focuses on empowerment of Christians in crisis, and succeeds in reaching that modest goal. (June)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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From Booklist
Prayer can achieve miracles, and Caine and Kaufman tell how to find and take paths to such meaningful prayer, describing the steps and citing encouraging examplars. A major portion of this thick book is occupied by "Prayer Prescriptions," designed for specific spiritual and psychological difficulties and a few medical conditions. Primary emphasis is on spiritual and psychological woes, however, so that, for example, the section on pain deals only with the soul and the mind, not with physical pain, which can be a devastating medical problem. Those seeking an optimistic view of life and its difficulties will be well pleased with the book. Do you or a family member have a terminal illness? Then look on the bright side. Have you or a family member suffered a catastrophic event? Then take heart in the pastoral assertion "God is still in control." No hard references concerning prayer's efficacy are cited, but popular prayer-boosting authors Larry Dossey, Robert Benson, and John Koenig often are.
William Beatty
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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