Why do people pray? Do they really think it works? Even when proof says otherwise?

Question

This article was posted by Warren H...

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/31/health/31pray.html?ex=1301461200&en=4acf338be4900000&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

It is PROOF that prayer does not work. So why do Christians pray? The only answer is that do it to make themselves feel better, not actually looking for the prayer to be answered. But that's selfishness, and that's a sin, right?

Much like people all over this world who INSIST that Black Rhino horn and shark fin soup does, in fact, make you smart and verile (even though it has been proven false in hundreds of scientific testing), Christians too continue to believe foolishness, even when proof smacks them upside the head.

NONE of the answers so far are acceptable...none of you had any time to read the article and then post your answer. Just like silly Christians, you all have your answers and refuse to read logic.

Answer 1

Because of belief. Yes and yes. Logic is lost on them...

Concentrating on something can work wonders, which I put down to the individual putting demands (or wishes) into their subconscious. That computer will then work on putting things together (reacting to stimuli) that will bring about the desired result.
It is very important to state any wishes in positive shape. I don't want to smoke any more, will NOT work. I want cleaner air around myself always, will work.
Also, since it works on YOUR subconscious, wishing for others does NOT work. They don't respond to your subconscious. Only you do.
BTW, I am a lifelong atheist, and this has always worked for me. As it will for anyone, believer or not.
Most people are totally unaware of how powerful their mind is. That's why they look for an outside source for the sometimes incredible things they accomplish. Healing is done by the body, doctors at best can help things along and speed them up. But if the body does not cooperate doctors are powerless.
And praying for someone else helps IF they know that they are being prayed for, their subconscious goes into overdrive.
Laughter has healed people who were considered terminal. It all comes down to the same thing, YOUR mind!

Answer 2

Hello ScubaDude.. :)

Scientific Studies on Prayer

In recent years there has been an explosion of interest about intercessory prayer. A revealing survey showed 79 of the nation's medical schools offer courses on prayer, spirituality, and healing. In the 1980 era, only three medical schools offered such courses.

Many large, (and randomized, double-blind) studies have revealed most positive results in the majority of cases. One such study was conducted at the San Francisco General Coronary Care Unit. None of the participants knew who was being prayed for and who wasn't. Remarkable things happened when committed believers prayed. The specific patients prayed for suffered less congestive heart failure and fewer cardiac arrests. They recovered with less tubes, ventilation, and medication.

Another impressive study was conducted at Duke University Medical Center. When patients were admitted into Emergency with severe chest pain, they were given the option of participating. Neither patients or doctors knew who was, and was not being prayed for. Names of the randomly selected patients were sent to prayer gatherings around the world. Both groups received identical medical treatment. The prayed for individuals had half as many or no complications from medical treatment.

There is no scientific explanation for the tangible medical improvements verified in these and hundreds of studies.

My own experience has confirmed the effectiveness of prayer, in daily life, and when all other forms of human intervention have failed. There will always be room to doubt, but much more reason to believe.

Ponder these things on your journey . . .

Linda Dunn

FitnessDunFun


http://www.fitnessdunfun.org/Does%20prayer%20work.htm

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"A collection of inspiring stories of alternative healing"
PRAYER HEALING

Prayer does work. Study after study has scientifically proven that prayer affects reality. It’s not just something we hope will work. In one famous series of experiments, published by J. Barry in The Journal of Parapsychology (1968), mold was cultured in agar dishes, then stressed by an alcohol rinse that damaged the colonies without killing them. Some were prayed for, some weren’t. The ones that were prayed for did better! Mold does not have a psychological component. It doesn’t feel better because someone is praying for it. It is an extremely simple organism that lives in order to reproduce and further its species. Yet when humans pray for the well being of the organism, its survival rate increases. Prayer is a real energy force, and its power can be mighty.

Read more on this story at:

http://www.drenergy.com/hopebook/hope_pra.htm

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Turns Out Prayer Does Work
posted on 05.05.2006 at 8:12 AM

Forget that unpleasant study. The Cadillac News in Cadillac, Michigan, presents front-page evidence of the efficacy of prayer and faith -- evidence of the good, old-fashioned, anecdotal kind: A woman, Donna Sikes, is diagnosed with a brain tumor. While driving toward the hospital for surgery, she listens to “Infinite Power — God’s Plan for Miracle Living” by Gordon and Pat Robertson.

“The tape said to put your hand on where your sickness is so I did and I was in the spirit all the way down there and I said — Jesus take it away, I’m all alone and I have no one to help me.”
Sikes arrives at the hospital. MRI. Tumor gone. One Dr. Alicia Elmore "of Family Practice of Cadillac confirmed the mysterious disappearance of Sike’s tumor and documented the case in a letter written to" Pat Robertson's "700 Club."

So there!

posted by Mitchell Stephens at 08:12 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

http://www.futureofthebook.org/mitchellstephens/archives/prayer/

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Merry Christmas..To All..
With Love..In Christ.. :)

Answer 3

So where is your proof, Scuba Dude. Why should I take something Warren H. posted as fact. WHEN, I in FACT have seen the results of prayer as an ACTIVE force in my own life?
Have you not ALSO seen the studies of prayer in hospitals conducted by physicians? Do a web search. You might try considering all the facts before you speak up. Being such an intelligent man and all.

No one will ever change my mind about God. Period.

Be Blessed.

Answer 4

It is a harmless practice that lets the believers channel their problems elsewhere .It gives them hope .After all there is a 50/50 chance that a simple prayer could go their way .
A much harder prayer that won`t come true is the raising of the dead after a terminal illness has taken their loved ones life .

Answer 5

I'm hear to tell you that prayer works. Yes, it is selfish to pray for something or for something to happen. When you pray, you pray for God's will to be done! Not your will, but his. I'm sorry you don't believe in what I have seen and know with out a doubt is true. It doesn't sound like you have ever done much praying so how do you know it doesn't work? You have to believe first if you ever want to see proof. If you don't believe first you will never know what a believer knows. Let me tell you PROOF HAS SMACKED ME UPSIDE THE HEAD! Proof that a wonderful God loves me and Jesus Christ died for me and as of 1999 I will not burn in hell. PRAISE GOD!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 6

Prayer is real. I have tested it and proved it to be real. Your article proves nothing. You cannot prove spriritual things with physical explanations. I have felt the answers when I needed them. I have received results according to my need. The answers are not always what I wanted, but I knew that they were indeed answers to my inquiry. Prayers don't work when the prayer giver is insincere, proud and unfaithful. "If ye will ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, He shall manifes the truth of it unto you by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the Power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."
Try again.

Answer 7

Throughout time, the power of prayer has been questioned by science. The analytical mind of the scientist calls for proof of the existence of a higher being. These scientists, both the faithful and nonbelievers alike, have produced studies into the affects of prayer on our physical as well as spiritual well being. Although most of us, who possess the belief that prayer can and does work, do not require physical, quantitative proof of the power of prayer, it is interesting to read the results of these studies.

It DOES work.

Answer 8

now your proof may say so ...
i have heard proof to say otherwise
there will always be statistics saying one thing or the other
no one will ever really know for sure
i trust my source which was done by a group of scientists in a controlled environment
yours ?

i read your article and what makes you think everyone that answered is Christian ? ... im not , it isnt only Christians who pray

Answer 9

That prayer works is assured us by the Bible. A more direct proof will come from your own experience. Here are a few sites that allude to "scientific studies," you may want to check them out,or try your own experiment with prayer!
http://www.proofgodexists.org/scientific_study_of_prayer_under.htm
http://1stholistic.com/Prayer/hol_prayer_proof.htm
http://www.jewishealing.com/healing_really_works.html
http://officeofprayerresearch.org/opr/ThyWillBeDone-Stonehouse.htm

Answer 10

I just prayed for a zit to appear on you nose!

When it appears in the morning you will know that prayer is answered.