Schizophrenia and Prayer

[Guido]

Is there any evidence that the symptoms of schizophrenia, or even the disease itself, can be reduced or stopped through prayer?

 

[JonC]

What type of evidence? (Scientific or biblical)

I would argue that there is biblical evidence, however the mode that prayers are answered are often by the utilization of physicians and medicines.

 

[canadyjd]

As I understand it, schizophrenia is caused by chemical imbalances in the brain.

Anyone suffering from mental illness, as with any disease, should seek professional help.

All must be cautious of preachers who claim “if you have enough faith, God will heal you”.

God is certainly able to heal anyone of any disease, but He is not obligated to do so because of a prayer. What is His will?

It may be that God allows a Christian to suffer mental illness so that they may comfort others in the same way God has comforted them.

peace to you

 

[John of Japan]

Is there any evidence that the symptoms of schizophrenia, or even the disease itself, can be reduced or stopped through prayer?

Absolutely, if it is God's will. I counselled a young Christian schizophrenic for several years in Japan. It would take too long to tell the whole story here, but I performed her wedding to another Christian, and baptized her.

At one point the psychiatrist pronounce her cured. However, the sad truth is that the Japanese government subsidizes mentally ill patients, and she did not want to lost that subsidy, so she relapsed.

 

[John of Japan]

As I understand it, schizophrenia is caused by chemical imbalances in the brain.

Anyone suffering from mental illness, as with any disease, should seek professional help.

I agree. As the situation I wrote about above progressed, I took a NANC (Jay Adams) seminar in the US. At one point I made the mistake of asking (anonymously) how I could "get her off the medicine," and was soundly rebuked by the speaker. Only a doctor is competent enough to allow someone to stop taking a prescribed medication. A mental patient may decide himself or herself to quit taking it, but usually that results in harm to the loved ones who have to live with the person.

All must be cautious of preachers who claim “if you have enough faith, God will heal you”.

I certainly agree.

God is certainly able to heal anyone of any disease, but He is not obligated to do so because of a prayer. What is His will?

It may be that God allows a Christian to suffer mental illness so that they may comfort others in the same way God has comforted them.

peace to you

Again I agree.