Do you believe that prayer could actually work to a small extent?

Question

After studies a few years ago, using people of all faiths "praying" for a test group of hospital patients, then comparing those patients to a control group with the same medical conditions, for some inexplicable reason there seemed to be a slight, but still noticable improvement in the health of those who had been "prayed" for.

Now I don't believe that an almighty figure answered said prayers, but I am open to the possibility that the collective positive/negative thinking by one group, can possibly affect another group to a small extent.

And if reports of the CIA funding people to stare at goats, to try to affect the animals wellbeing are to be believed, it seems like I'm not the only person that thinks this may be not completely impossible!

What are your opinions?

Answer 1

Yea I believe it does but only if you beleive in what your doing.
I dont think it matters which network provider it is either. Christianity, Buddism whatever.

Thats the 'evil eye' the CIA discovered. Try it yourself with two plants. Whenever you look at them beam positive energy to one and negative energy to the other and see how they do.
Science has discovered molecules that change shape when looked at so there is some evidence that energy of some sort. Is transmitted from the eyes, so the CIA were not just stoned.

I use it for cooking. Maybe its just psychosomatic but if I believe what I'm cooking will taste great the results are better.
Think theres definitely something there we are not making full use of yet. Just goes to show how much we dont know about the mind.

Answer 2

Well I am an atheists and do believe that this is possible. I think that the human mind, when thinking positively has healing powers. Even as an atheists when someone says, I'll pray for you, I never say, why don't bother, won't work, I see it as that the person cares and I think this is a positive feeling. Meditation can help in lots of ways. If you think you will get better you will. There have been many studies to do this. Positive thinking affects lots of things. They also did a study on lucky and non-lucky people. This guy put an add in the paper for both types. The people who were lucky and un-lucky actually had about the same amount of good and bad random incidents happen to them, but the ones who considered themselves lucky always saw the good side and the unlucky saw the negative. For instance, when given the scenario of them being in a bank during a bank robbery and they were shot in the leg and asked to assess how they would feel about their luck, the lucky people said, "well thank god It wasn't in the heart or head and i am still alive." where as the unlucky people said, "well yes my bad luck would have me being shot." When the unlucky people were shown this their views changed and they started to see things positively and they said their luck started to change as well. So, yes we all tend to get upset sometimes, but it is probably better to think positively for a better well rounded life.

Answer 3

There are precious few things that I know for a certainty. There are many things in this world that I am not sure about. There are many other things of which I have not even a clue.

And then, there are things I am hopefull for.

I hope that prayer works. I believe it does.

We (humans) are frail, largely powerless creatures. We don't have an exoskeleton. Or sharp teeth. Or claws. Or speed. All we have is a powerfull mind and thumbs. With those two things, we want to do as much as possible.

I hope that by concentrating and believing, I can help situations in which I am otherwise powerless. I hope that I am somehow able to tap into whatever cosmic 'other-ness' there happens to be.

The bottom line. . . . I don't know. BUT, at the very least, the act of TRYING to send positive energy and love --- the very act itself --- makes me feel better and in control. I don't know if it works, but it makes me feel good.

And that's why I pray and will continue to pray.

Answer 4

As this is in the Psychology section I will answer in that context, (Perhaps some other answerer may consider the context in which the question is asked before writing testaments to their particular God.)

I believe that prayer can help people to concentrate in the issues having a negative effect on them, therefore providing a better understanding of why they feel the way they do. It is a mechanism to identify a problem that can be resolved, thus ridding oneself of negative energy built up by worrying. The mind is a powerful thing, and without such releases can severely damage itself.

Answer 5

This is one of those simple sounding questions which it would take an hour or more to investigate properly.
There is a book which you might like to read.
Secrets of the Lost Mode of Prayer. by Gregg Braden.
It's not particularly heavy going but it does treat the question quite well.
I know prayer can work - I've seen it - but I don't think that there is a creator God out there somewhere who is prepared to alter the mathematics of the universe to help me pass an exam which I haven't studied for.
Do try Gregg Braden's book. I'm sure you'll find it interesting.
(As far as the CIA is concerned, I really don't think that their interest could possibly be considered to lend respectability to any endeavour. Think of some of the daft ways they thought of to kill Castro.)
Jon C

Answer 6

Prayer works on the basis of mind power so you think so it shall be. Thats why you feel so peaceful in a church there are many people who are praying and the atmosphere has absorbed all of their energy, Be careful what you pray for though you might just get it?

Answer 7

i completely believe in it.

this past august 2006, i was fed up with the severe pelvic pain i was experiencing. the doctors couldnt figure out for 1 1/2 years what was wrong with me. one day at work, i met a man from haiti, and he goes to me completely out of the blue - you lost your faith years ago...you used to pray all the time and things would happen for you....and he was right...so that night i went home and prayed that they would find out whats wrong with me. well the NEXT day at work..guess what happened? i collapsed in pain and was rushed to the ER. there the doctor discovered that i had a lemon size tumor on my ovary and needed surgery. badda bing badda boom. i was in surgery, where they removed and biopsied the tumor. it was cancerous. ovarian cancer. but because they found it early, only stage 1. so its curable. if it wasnt for the man mysteriously telling me to pray, i would have never known. and im 22 with stage 1 ovarian cancer. i got lucky. stage 2 and 3 are incurrable. God is listening. we are all divine and perfect in his sight. and he will help you if you ask, be it good or bad, he will reveal what you want, its up to you to listen and follow the signs. God bless!!

Answer 8

I think praying works. It's something that helps keep your mind off of negatives. One will wish for something and will persevere through prayer. You don't have to be religious to pray.

Answer 9

Prayer works but you need faith for it to work for you. I also believe that God answers to those that respect His commandments and acknowledge that He is God. You cant sleep with your neighbour's wife today and pray that God gives you a job. He wont give it to you. You need to fear Him, praise and worship Him first.

Answer 10

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