SBC president Ronnie Floyd agrees prayer can help alcohol temptation

NEW YORK (Christian Examiner) – Alcoholics don't have to look very far when fighting the urge to drink. In fact, a recent study shows staying on the wagon may be easier with a little help from the supernatural.

Prayer, that is.

In a formal study published earlier this month in the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, researchers reported recovering alcoholics who prayed – after having no cravings leading up to the test – still did not desire to drink.

On the other hand, those who chose to read a newspaper reported an increase in craving alcohol.

Chronic drinkers who prayed daily for four weeks, in an earlier study, ended up drinking about half that of those who did not pray.

Ronnie Floyd, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, and pastor of The Church at Pinnacle Hills in Springdale, Arkansas, told Christian Examiner it is not surprising that prayer helps to overcome such a strong temptation.

"Anytime we face any temptation in life, the power of prayer can lead us to overcome this temptation," Floyd said. "Therefore, whether the temptation is related to alcohol or any other challenge in life that someone wrestles with, God can help anyone, anytime, anywhere, to do anything."