Health
5 prayers to ease election anxiety shared by religious leaders
This election season, it’s natural to feel a sense of anxiety and loss of control during such a pivotal time of transition.
Faith leaders from different traditions and backgrounds shared insight on how to fully put one’s trust in God when things feel out of control. They also shared the specific Bible verses and personally created prayers they turn to for comfort and to ease worries.
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Read on for their thoughts conveyed to Fox News Digital this November.
‘Do not be anxious about anything’
Troy A. Miller, president and CEO of National Religious Broadcasters, based in Washington, D.C., told Fox News Digital about the specific verses he turns to when he is feeling anxiety about issues, including the upcoming election.
He mentioned these words from scripture: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
During times of change and stress, including the November elections, one can find peace in God, said faith leaders. (iStock)
“You have probably given Nov. 5 considerable thought: how to vote, when to vote and what the results will mean for America,” he said. These verses “give us clear guidance on experiencing peace in all circumstances.”
By seeking God’s will, asking for help and remembering that He is in charge, “we will discover ‘the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,’” Miller said.
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“As we faithfully pray for our country and vote in alignment with our values, let us place our concerns safely in the care of our Father in Heaven, who holds the nation and the world in His hands,” he said.
‘God works for the good’
Işık Abla is senior pastor of Dream Church International in Virginia Beach and the author of many Christian books. She told Fox News Digital, “In these uncertain times, it is crucial to rest in the sovereignty of God, trusting that He is at work, even when outcomes are unclear.”
She noted this passage: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
Işık Abla, shown at right, said it is “crucial to rest in the sovereignty of God, trusting that He is at work, even when outcomes are unclear.” (iStock; Işık Abla)
“While opinions may differ and emotions run high, believers can anchor their hearts in the peace that surpasses understanding, knowing that God’s plan transcends human decisions,” she said.
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When a person is stressed or does not know what to do, “prayer becomes a powerful way to calm minds and seek divine wisdom,” Abla said.
“No matter the results, God is faithfully orchestrating all things for His purpose and glory,” she also said.
‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever’
Pastor Jesse Bradley of Grace Community Church in Auburn, Washington, reminded others that “Jesus is our rock in times of uncertainty” and that He is our “Prince of Peace in times of transition and our Good Shepherd in times of stress.”
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He cited this verse: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).
Said Bradley, “Nothing can separate us from the love of God.”
“Nothing can separate us from the love of God,” said Pastor Jesse Bradley of Washington, even in times of extreme anxiety and stress. (Fox News Digital)
During times of transition, God’s word does not change, Bradley said.
“The Gospel – that Jesus died for our sins and rose from the grave – is always good news,” he said. “God will never leave us or forsake us. Trials will pass. God’s grace is sufficient. God’s promises stand firm.”
‘You have overcome the world. We trust you’
Bradley also wrote his own prayer for those who may be struggling with anxiety during these times, and shared it with Fox News Digital.
“Father God, thank you for your presence. You are the God of comfort and the source of our joy. Our lives are filled with purpose, and your passion is a fire in our souls,” the prayer begins.
“Jesus, we choose to abide with you today. You have overcome the world. We trust you. We ask for compassion, wisdom and courage as we serve our neighbors and glorify You. Forgive us Lord of our sins, we pray, and come heal our land. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
“Please help me realize that no matter the outcome, I must strive to be a force for bringing unity and good to the world,” one prayer notes. (Ildar Abulkhanov)
‘Please keep us all safe and united’
Rabbi Daniel Rowe of Aish, a worldwide Jewish organization dedicated to inspiring “people to live more thoughtful, spiritual and impactful lives,” shared a prayer he wrote with Fox News Digital.
His prayer highlights the need to trust in God and to always remember the humanity of people who are on the “other side” of an issue.
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“God of all the world, I find myself confronted by fears of what the future will bring and feelings of resentment, distrust and dislike of those whose views I oppose. Please help me to realize that I need to stop playing Your role and please help me to play my part in service of You, of my fellow citizens of this great nation, and of all of mankind.”
It is important to remember, one rabbi said, that God, not humanity, is in charge of the future and that people should work to play their “part in service of You, of my fellow citizens of this great nation, and of all mankind.” (iStock)
“Please remind me that elections are only short-lived. Please help me realize that while our opponents have their faults and flaws, so do we all. Please help me see that they, like us, want the good of the country and that our destiny is tied together, united indivisible under You.”
His prayer continues, “Please help me realize that no matter the outcome, I must strive to be a force for bringing unity and good to the world, and to realize that I am a character in Your great book of history. Please help me know my role, play my role, and please keep us all safe and united — bringing out the best in one another and building our future together.”
Health
Katie Couric couldn’t remember the year or the president during frightening brain episode
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Journalist Katie Couric is sharing a scary medical episode that she experienced on June 27.
In a post on Substack titled “The Day I’ll Never Remember,” she detailed a sudden episode that left her unable to recall the current month, year and president.
“I thought it was 2024. And I believed Joe Biden was president,” she wrote.
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The event occurred while Couric was attending the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado, during which she participated in two public panels — one on AI and one on journalism — both of which she cannot remember at all.
“I have no idea what we talked about, or of what occurred when the panels ended,” she said.
Journalist Katie Couric is sharing a scary medical episode that she experienced on June 27. (Getty Images)
John Molner — Couric’s husband, who was in attendance at the festival and the two panels — also shared his account.
After the event, someone told Molner that Katie wasn’t feeling well. When he reached her, an EMT and a doctor were tending to her. “I could tell something was off,” he wrote. “It could have been altitude sickness, but Katie was definitely not all there.”
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At the hospital, when Couric struggled to recall the year, the president and her grandchildren’s names, doctors began checking for a stroke.
An MRI revealed no signs of stroke, which was a relief, but “Katie’s ‘fog’ became a lot more apparent,” Molner wrote.
John Molner, Couric’s husband, who was in attendance at the festival and the two panels, also shared his account. (Getty Images)
“She repeatedly asked me the same questions: ‘What was I doing before we got to the hospital?’ ‘Why am I at the hospital?’”
Couric was ultimately diagnosed with transient global amnesia, a sudden, temporary episode of memory loss that prevents a person from forming new memories and may also erase some recent memories, according to Mayo Clinic.
“The cause seems to be as mysterious as the brain itself.”
It is not caused by a stroke, seizure or head injury, and it usually resolves completely within 24 hours.
“[It’s] just a very weird neural episode that’s pretty uncommon and, at least in most cases, is a ‘one and done’ experience,” Molner said.
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Couric said she finally began feeling “like herself” again around 9 p.m. and went to sleep at 2 a.m.
As TGA leaves a “permanent gap in memory” for the duration of the episode and for hours beforehand, Couric said that from around noon on that day until at least 7 p.m. will remain a “big, black hole.”
As TGA leaves a “permanent gap in memory” for the duration of the episode and for hours beforehand, Couric said that from around noon on that day until at least 7 p.m. will remain a “big, black hole.” (Getty Images)
Data shows that approximately three to eight people per 100,000 will have an episode of transient global amnesia, with people 50 years of age and older at higher risk.
The specific cause of TGA is not known, but some experts believe it stems from a “temporary dysfunction in the brain’s hippocampus — the area responsible for creating new memories,” Couric shared.
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“Doctors believe this is driven by brief interruptions in blood or oxygen flow, or microscopic spasm in the blood vessels.”
Episodes could potentially be triggered by intense physical exertion, emotional distress, extreme temperature changes or migraines, experts say.
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Approximately 15% of patients will have a recurrence 10 years later.
“Why did this happen to me? Was the altitude an issue? Was I dehydrated? Tired? Stressed? The literature doesn’t seem to indicate that these are contributing factors, but the cause seems to be as mysterious as the brain itself,” Couric wrote.
Anyone who experiences sudden memory loss, confusion, difficulty speaking, weakness, numbness, vision changes, severe headache or other stroke-like symptoms should seek immediate medical attention or call 911, doctors advise. (iStock)
“All I know is that those hours will be forever lost. Someone described it as my brain failing to hit the ‘record button.’”
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“While this was a freaky occurrence, it could have been much more serious. So ultimately, I’m relieved — even though several hours of a Saturday in June will always be missing for me.”
Anyone who experiences sudden memory loss, confusion, difficulty speaking, weakness, numbness, vision changes, severe headache or other stroke-like symptoms should seek immediate medical attention or call 911, doctors advise.
Health
One walking habit could signal a healthier brain after 80, scientists say
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Older adults identified as “super movers” are about half as likely to develop cognitive impairment than their peers.
That’s according to a recent study led by Stony Brook Medicine in New York, which evaluated the cognitive function of 4,000 adults 80 and over who participated in multiple aging and longevity studies over several years.
Among this group, 6% to 10% were classified as super movers, which means they walk at a much faster pace than others of the same age and gender — at speeds comparable to people three decades younger.
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The super movers were found to have about half the risk of cognitive decline compared to seniors with typical gait speed.
The findings were published in the journal Neurology on June 16.
Older adults identified as “super movers” are about half as likely to develop cognitive impairment than their peers. (iStock)
“The study reinforces that mobility and brain health are closely connected,” lead study author Dr. Joe Verghese, MD, neurologist at Stony Brook Medicine, told Fox News Digital. “This suggests that preserving mobility may be an important marker of healthy brain aging and resilience.”
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The most intriguing finding, according to Verghese, was that super movers maintained cognitive function despite having similar dementia-related brain changes as their peers.
In postmortem brain analysis, there was no difference in dementia-related pathologies between the super movers and the slower walkers, the study stated.
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“This suggests they may possess resilience mechanisms that help preserve brain function even in the presence of age-related changes,” he said. “Understanding these resilience factors could lead to new strategies for promoting healthy brain aging.”
As the study was observational, there were some limitations, and it does not prove that walking faster prevents dementia, the researchers noted.
Super movers were found to have about half the risk of cognitive decline compared to seniors with typical gait speed. (iStock)
“Other factors, such as cardiovascular health, physical fitness or genetics, may also contribute to both faster walking and better cognitive outcomes,” Verghese said.
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This study adds to growing evidence that what’s good for the heart and muscles also benefits the brain, he noted, adding that “staying physically active remains one of the most effective, evidence-based ways to support healthy aging.”
“Walking speed is best viewed as a marker of overall health, not a treatment.”
“The broader message is that physical activity is important at any age,” Verghese said. “Walking is an easy step-up point because you don’t need any special equipment. You can do it inside or outdoors, and you can do it on a regular basis. You can walk with a dog, you can walk with a friend.”
Any activity is beneficial if it’s done regularly and with the right intensity, he added.
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Rather than just trying to walk faster, the neurologist recommends that seniors focus on maintaining mobility through regular physical activity, strength training, balance exercises and good cardiovascular health.
“Walking speed is best viewed as a marker of overall health, not a treatment,” Verghese noted.
Major public health guidelines from the CDC and U.S. Physical Activity Guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, such as brisk walking.
Major public health guidelines from the CDC and U.S. Physical Activity Guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, such as brisk walking. (iStock)
This can be achieved by walking 30 minutes a day, five days a week, or about 20 to 25 minutes most days. Another option is to engage in shorter sessions that add up over the day.
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“You have to do it within your health limitations and medical conditions,” Verghese advised. “So if there are any medical concerns, I would get your physician to clear you before starting exercise.” The good thing about walking, he added, is that you can start at a slow pace and then gradually build up to a brisker pace.
“And then adding on strength and balance training, whatever age you are, I think is also important.”
Health
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