In the debate of faith vs. works, isn't it possible to see that prayer is a "work"?

In the mental health field, especially in what is called Behavioral Sciences / Behavior Therapy, even a change of emotion is a change of body processes such as heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, and thereby ruled a change of behavior, and if "work" is a behavior, which it is, then can't some agreement be reached that at least some "work" doesn't necessarily mean going out and building houses for the poor or having charitable car washes, etc., but means a much deeper and seemingly sublime internal change of body processes that come with prayer, which does occur? The behavior sciences have been aware of this for decades, and having been in the mental health field for decades as I have (now retired), I keep wondering where the incongruence of understanding is in the issue of whether we're saved by faith "alone" or works are also involved. I'm not trying to get agreement in the matter, rather, wanting your thoughts on the idea that real faith, which may include prayer and going to church and singing the songs in church and tithing, etc., are in fact works, and so "the great debate" of faith alone vs. faith and works has long ago been solved by the reality that even experiencing faith through prayer and songs and tithing, etc., and maybe even charitable car washes, etc., ARE works, as clearly established by the Behavioral Sciences many decades ago. Your thoughts.

2011-04-25T19:41:08Z

I agree, "MM", but can you see that prayer, therefore, being a work, is part of salvation? Or am I missing something here?

Jake2011-04-25T19:23:40Z

Favorite Answer

Prayer is a work, definitely.

robbie2011-04-26T02:36:16Z

It is by faith "alone" that we are saved. We are not condemned by our sins but rather by our rejection of Christ. We all sin and if it were sin which condemned us then none would be saved. Works takes on many forms. Prayer is definitely a work, as is going to church, bible reading, witnessing, honesty, truth, being nice to your neighbor, helping others, and many, many other examples can be given. Works follows faith but it is by faith that we receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. If you add a work to salvation you are saying that what Christ did at the Cross was insufficient.