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Someone I know recently made a comment about how he feels a sort of pain durring prayer (and that this type of pain only happens during prayer). He says that it used to only be present during confession, but now it is something which has become more permanent.

I'm trying to help him figure out if it is psychosomatic or human (we believe that demonic can be safely ruled out), but I don't know enough about mystic theology to be able to really comment on it. It does seem up that alley though. Is this something which has been documented elsewhere?

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Could you describe this pain he is having? – Shredder Apr 3 '12 at 22:37
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I'm a bit concerned that this question is a bit too "pastoral" for the site. It's also somewhat speculative in its current form. I voted to close because I can't see how it can be constructively answered. (At least not without direct access to the individual and a fair portion of the spiritual gifts of discernment.) – Jon Ericson Apr 3 '12 at 22:52
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And at which part of the body, if physical? For instance I experience pain in my throat when I cry thus if I should cry during prayer, I sometimes have to force myself not to cry. Quite silly of me isn't it? – Nok Apr 3 '12 at 22:58
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That said, I will say that prayer (and worship in general) have opened me up to experience the emotional pain that I sometimes suppress. Most gloriously, I've felt the pain of others as Paul indicates in 1 Corinthians 12:26: "If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together." (ESV) But it's not possible to know if that's the situation you describe. – Jon Ericson Apr 3 '12 at 23:00
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I'd strongly recommend you get your friend to go to a doctor. Honestly I can't see this is a constructive SE question. – wax eagle♦ Apr 4 '12 at 0:28
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closed as not constructive by Jon Ericson, James T, Thomas Shields, hammar, wax eagle♦ Apr 4 '12 at 0:28

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