Half of Evangelicals Believe Prayer Can Heal Mental Illness

The headline is a bit scarier than the content. But this statement is what concerns me, "But he worries some Christians see mental illness as a character flaw rather than a medical condition." Based on some of the comments, I know why it scares me. And yes spirituality is IMHO can help, NOT religion,,,

Christians will go to the doctor if they break their leg, he says. But some may try to pray away serious mental illness.

“They forget that the key part of mental illness is the word illness,” he says. “In a typical evangelical church, half the people believe mental illness can be solved by prayer and Bible study alone.”

LifeWay Research asked four questions about mental illness as part of a telephone survey of 1,001 Americans conducted Sept. 6-10.

Thirty-five percent agree with the statement, “With just Bible study and prayer, ALONE, people with serious mental illness like depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia could overcome mental illness.”

Responses are split by both faith and age.

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Tim Clinton, president of the Forest, Va.-based American Association of Christians Counselors, says spirituality can play a crucial role in treating mental illness.

He calls it “soul care.”

Half of Evangelicals Believe Prayer Can Heal Mental Illness