School of Theology and Seminary Graduate Papers/Theses
Date of Award
5-6-2021
Document Type
Graduate Paper
Degree Name
Master of Divinity (M.Div)
Department
School of Theology and Seminary
First Advisor
Kathleen Cahalan
Subject Categories
Mental and Social Health | Mental Disorders | Practical Theology | Religion
Abstract
This paper illuminates the complex and nuanced relationship between mental health and prayer, particularly seeking theologically grounded understandings of prayer and of our relationship with God in times of mental distress that goes beyond intercessory prayer. The paper begins with an evaluation of social structures that cause mental health problems (notably in college students). A discussion on emotional agility, scarcity, and vulnerability serves as a transition to examining this question from a theological perspective, the second main section of this paper. In this section, I claim that a misunderstanding of the divine-human relationship and of prayer is one potential source of harm for individuals in mental distress, and I outline an application of emotional agility and prayerful resilience as an alternative. My final main section is a pastoral response in light of the previous two sections.
Recommended Citation
Stretar, Meghan E., "The Power, (Problem), and Potential of Prayer" (2021). School of Theology and Seminary Graduate Papers/Theses. 1935.
https://digitalcommons.csbsju.edu/sot_papers/1935
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