Prayer and spirituality can have a profound effect on the mind, providing hope and support for strong believers. Some people who experience infertility have always been religious, and their beliefs give them added strength. Others weren't interested in prayer, but turn towards a higher power in the midst of their struggle.
Some studies have found that people who engage in religious belief and activities, including prayer and communal gatherings, have lower rates of depression. Regular prayer can help with anxiety and act as a meditation.
There have been studies on whether or not prayer can actually "heal", with conflicting results. Some studies report that prayer has the power to heal, while others found that prayer did not heal. In my opinion, the power of prayer as a mind-body therapy is not whether or not it actually "works", but the connection to something larger than yourself, and the freedom to hope and feel supported.
There are religiously-oriented organizations for infertility support. You may be able to find a local support group for infertility through your place of worship, though some religious groups are less vocal about infertility. You may want to speak to a member of the clergy at your place of worship.
More about prayer and religious support:
- Hannah's Prayers Ministries (Christian infertility support organization)
- A. T.I.M.E. (Jewish infertility support)
- Spirituality and Mental Health: Benefits of Spirituality
