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A final group spent that time working on a puzzle. Another group was asked to spend ten minutes thinking about that concern. One group of participants was then asked to spend ten minutes praying about that concern. After finishing these tasks, they were instructed to bring to mind one concern in their lives. In one study, research participants with varying levels of religiosity completed cognitive tasks that assess attention. Prayer might make people feel better, but, as some critics have argued, does it direct their attention away from problems that need to be addressed? In other words, is prayer a distraction? Recent behavioral science experiments suggest that it isn’t, that prayer helps people focus their attention. For example, among a sample of cancer patients, those who focused their prayers on thankfulness and concern for others were found to have the least symptoms of depression. Other research suggests, not surprisingly, that the content of prayer matters. Researchers found that prayer is psychologically beneficial for those who perceive God as loving but may cause anxiety for those who view God as distant and unresponsive. Results from a large national survey helped clarify this relationship. Some studies have found mixed results when it comes to the association between prayer and mental health. Religious practices such as prayer also contribute to perceptions of meaning in life, which promote psychological well-being. For instance, a nationwide survey of older adults found that the negative effects of financial problems on health were significantly reduced among those who regularly prayed for others. A number of studies suggest that prayer is positively associated with well-being and physical health.