The Power of Prayer Based on Scriptures

Prayer sits at the center of the Christian life. It connects you to God and helps you build a deeper relationship with Him. It guides you in your day-to-day life and can transform it.

What Research Reveals About Christian’s Prayer Habits

Teleios studied the prayer habits of adolescents and millennials through a survey shared on the Christian Instagram accounts InstaPray and GodsHolyScriptures.

Out of 428 respondents, most were female (76%), <35 years old (77%), from the United States (54%), and evangelical (69%). The survey found that:

• Approximately 80% pray every day.
• Most people pray to express personal concerns (92%) and gratitude (91%).
• Many believe that the prayer topics the Bible emphasizes are about praise (87%) and thankfulness (86%).
• 93% prefer to pray at home and alone.
• 82% prefer praying at night (about 2/3 indicating morning or intermittent prayers throughout the day)
• 62% pray spontaneously, while 19% follow a structured or written list
• 77% believe that Christians should pray in faith, while about half each agreed that the Holy Spirit and Christ pray for believers.
• When praying for somebody else, 42% indicated that they keep the information confidential, and 40% pray for a while over time before stopping.
• 40% noted that native language should be used at least sometimes in praying, and 40% expressed that praying in tongues makes no difference. 20% believe that tongues should be used at least sometimes when praying.
• Interestingly, those who frequently praise God, especially in their native language, reported higher levels of well-being. This suggests that clear, heartfelt, and biblically grounded prayer can positively impact your Christian life.

All study results are found here.

Where Christians Need to Grow: The Gaps in Prayer Habits

While it’s good that the study found that many Christians pray daily, it also revealed gaps in understanding of biblical teachings on prayer. Generally, the participants lack knowledge of the following:

• The Holy Spirit and Christ intercede for believers.
• Christians should pray according to Scripture.
• God calls believers to pray for all people and government leaders.

This gap creates an opportunity for pastors and youth leaders to teach a more complete and powerful approach to prayer.

What the Bible Says About Prayer: Bridging the Gap

The Bible calls you to pray faithfully, frequently, and persistently. Through prayer, you can approach God with confidence and receive mercy in times of need (Hebrews 10:19–22).

What Should You Pray For?

Align your prayers with what glorifies Jesus Christ (John 14:13,14, 15:7).

• Thankfulness for God’s blessings and others  (Philippians 1:3-4, Colossians 1:3)
• Praise to God is (Hebrews 13:15)
• Petitions for your needs and the needs of others (Philippians 4:6)

Follow a Scriptural Prayer Model

The apostle Paul provides 3 model prayers in which he emphasizes what God desiress for us to attain by our prayers, no matter the situation (Ephesians 1:15ff, 3:14ff; Colossians 1:9-15). His prayers focus on spiritual growth, asking God for:

• Knowledge of our salvation and the Bible
• Wisdom and understanding
• Hope and spiritual strength
• Awareness of God’s love
• Service to God
• Patience, joy, and perseverance

Trust That God Answers Prayer

God promises to answer your prayers when you ask according to His will (John 14:13-14; 1 John 5:14-15). To pray effectively, you must know the Scripture and align your requests with it.

How Prayer Improves Your Life

Prayer does more than connecting you to God. It transforms your wellbeing and your life because it:

• Releases stress and anxiety by casting your cares on God (1 Peter 5:7).
• Reminds you that you are not alone, as God listens and cares, and that the Holy Spirit and Christ Himself pray on our behalf (Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:26,34).
• Encourages biblical thinking, helping you process challenges wisely
• Builds gratitude, shifting your focus from problems to blessings.
• Strengthens relationships, as praying for others softens your heart.
• Keeps life in perspective, reminding you of God’s greater purpose.

Prayer drives spiritual maturity as a Christian. It seeks God’s guidance, strengthens your faith, and anchors your life in truth, praise, and gratitude.

When you commit to a consistent and biblical prayer life, you don’t just talk to God—you grow, change, and experience deeper peace and purpose.

Start today. Pray with intention. Pray with faith. Let God change your life through prayer.

Join us again next time as we discover the truth and benefits of the Bible together.

William C. Stewart, MD

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Disclaimer – This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice nor recommendation for any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author alone and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and/or do your own research into the scriptures.

PRAISE: Is It Good For You?

 

We often think of praise as something we do for an hour on Sunday mornings. But what if it’s actually the key to a more joyful, grounded daily life?.

Teleios recently surveyed over 300 young Christians—mostly female and from the U.S.—to see how they approach praise. The results were eye-opening: 74% of participants praise God every day with reasons because it is due to Him (79%) and it also makes them feel good (79(%). More importantly, those who did reported significantly higher levels of personal well-being than those who praised less (P<0.001).

Participants indicated different ways that they praise God, including expressing gratitude for blessings (85%), singing hymns (78%), and recognizing His character and actions (65%). Full findings are available here: https://teleiosresearch.com/do-young-christians-praise/.

What Exactly is Praise?

While the dictionary defines praise as "favorably judging" or "glorifying" someone, the Bible gives us a much richer roadmap. True biblical praise involves:

1. Acknowledgment of God’s perfect character (Ephesians 1:6)
2. Acknowledgment of God’s righteous actions (Psalm 139:14; Psalm 148)
3. Thankfulness (Hebrews 13:15)

Why We Need It (More Than We Think)

Praise isn't just a religious tradition; it is a vital practice that transforms our daily walk with Christ. Here are three core reasons why we praise:

1. The Bible commands us to praise. It is our duty as Christians to praise. But God never gives a command without a beautiful purpose behind it, as explained below (Psalm 150; Romans 15:11; Hebrews 13:15).
2. Because He is Worthy. Our Father is the Almighty Creator who has provided us with salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. This is a free gift of eternal life that serves as a sure hope and a steady anchor for our souls in a chaotic world. Quite simply, He deserves every bit of the glory and thanks we can offer. (1 Peter 4:11; Hebrews 6:19).
3. It is for our good. As our Creator, God knows that praise is actually good for our well-being.  It helps us be reminded of God’s ordained order, fosters humility in us, and teaches us thankfulness and reduces expectations.

Make praise part of your daily life and reap the benefits while giving God what He deserves.

William C. Stewart, MD

------ 

Email – info@teleiosresearch.com

Website – http://teleiosresearch.com

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Disclaimer – This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice nor recommendation for any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author alone and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and/or do your own research into the scriptures.

 

 

Faith and Therapy: Survey Insights on Christian Counseling

 

Christian counseling is a cornerstone of modern church-based society, utilized frequently by individuals and as a primary referral source for congregations. To understand the actual impact on the current generation of believers, Teleios conducted a survey of young Christians' experiences and impressions of these services. Full findings are available here: Christian Counseling Survey.

The Current Landscape: Who is Seeking Help?

The survey reached 235 respondents, of whom the majority are female (71%), aged 18-34 years (77%), and located in the United States of America (58%). The result shows that participants' overall view of Christian counseling is positive, having:

• 9%of respondents are currently in counseling; 
• 7% had been in therapy and were planning to start again; and 
• 30% have never attended but plan to go. 

Meanwhile, 27% believe every Christian should be in counseling at some point in their life, while around 35% indicated that they should only go for specific problems.

The Impact: Emotional Relief vs. Spiritual Depth

Believers seek counseling for a variety of reasons, often with life-altering results.

• Emotional & Physical Benefits: Respondents reported that counseling improved relationships (11%), reduced anger (8%), improved depressive symptoms (8%), and even saved lives (6%).
• Spiritual Engagement: Participants noted that sessions helped them seek God through prayer, fellowship, and Bible knowledge (roughly 10% for each).
• The Statistical Paradox: Despite these individual successes, survey data showed that overall well-being did not differ statistically between those who participated in counseling and those who did not (P>0.05). This suggests that while counseling is a popular resource, its long-term clinical and spiritual efficacy remains largely undescribed.

A Balanced View: Pros and Cons

Navigating Christian counseling requires an understanding of both its practical utility and its potential limitations.

The Advantages:

• Pastoral Support: Provides a vital resource for busy pastors to extend help to their congregation.
• Emotional Outlet: Provides a dedicated platform for Christians to discuss pain with a sympathetic listener.
• Community Integration: Helps further integrate the participant into the Christian community.
• Crisis Gateway: Serves as an important gateway to psychiatric services for profound mental health issues.

The Challenges:

• Scientific findings on Christian counseling, compared with secular counseling or no counseling at all, remain largely unknown.
• The methodology of Christian counseling and counselors’ training is not well proven.
• In our survey, average well-being did not differ between participants who had received prior or current counseling and those who expressed a desire for future counseling. This might suggest that Christian counseling is not always beneficial.
• The interaction between Christian counseling methods and the Bible is unclear, varies by institution, and likely varies among counselors themselves.
• From our survey, most young Christians who participated in counseling did not receive instruction in any of the 5 basic elements of the Christian faith that underpin maturity (Acts 2:42,47)
• Universities that train Christian counselors typically do so from a secular, not a biblical, basis. More information can be found here. 
• Christian counseling, while it may offer practical advice and even some spiritual direction, may not provide the basis for growing in Christian maturity as described in the Bible.

The Path Forward for 2026

Christian counseling is a practical step for believers dealing with life's hurdles. However, discernment is necessary. Believers should assess their care to ensure it provides guidance into biblical maturity through obedience to the Word. If these tools are absent in the therapy room, they must be supplied through other spiritual sources.

As we move forward, more research is essential to bridge the gap between clinical results and spiritual growth, ensuring participants receive the full benefit of faith-based support.

William C. Stewart, MD

Email – info@teleiosresearch.com

Website – http://teleiosresearch.com

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YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@teleiostiktok

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/teleiosresearch

Disclaimer – This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice nor recommendation for any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author alone and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and/or do your own research into the scriptures.