I would go so far as to say that if it works, it isn't a temporary escape. If you honestly think whatever you're praying to will take care of your problems, and

I would go so far as to say that if it works, it isn't a temporary escape. If you honestly think whatever you're praying to will take care of your problems, and this causes you to relax to the point where your brain learns not to react to the anxiety.. that's the ultimate goal, isn't it? This of course says nothing about the objective truth of the beliefs, but that doesn't affect the brain; the connections being created or broken (or whatever scientifically happens) are what matter, not why it's occurring.