Does prayer work?

Question

In the largest study of its kind, researchers found that having people pray for heart bypass surgery patients had NO effect on their recovery. In fact, patients who knew they were being prayed for had a slightly higher rate of complications.

Do you agree or disagree and why.

For full story:
http://www.livescience.com/strangenews/ap_060330_prayer.html

libsrk.... I did pray fervently and faithfully for 10 years and perhaps some prayers were answered but I would say some definetely weren't. I would personally say nobody on the other end cares one way or the other.

Answer 1

hello.
I would say that prayer does help a little bit in many cases, because it encourages you to keep strong. In other words, because you believe that God will help you, therefore, you wont give up very easily.

Answer 2

I disagree 100%. Prayer works! I've seen it work in my life. I spent 8 1/2 living by faith and the power of prayer. I was in a Christian Company traveling all over the world and prayer helped us more times than I can count.

In Cali, Columbia, a city that used to be ruled by drug Lords the people started praying and turned that city around.

Because of prayer, I no longer have constant all that time, everyday pain that came after 4 knee surgeries.

I know my present job is a direct result of prayer. I don't care what other people say. I know God is ALIVE and answers prayer.

By the way 48% of all statistics are made up on the spot. :-)

Answer 3

Here is an article about it working.

In a 1998 study, after selecting practicing healers from a number of traditions — Christians, Buddhists, Jews, Indian shamans — she supplied them with the first names, blood counts and photographs of 20 patients with advanced AIDS. For an hour a day, over a ten-week period, the healers concentrated their thoughts on the pictures of these patients, but not on those of a control group of 20 other AIDS patients.

According to Targ, the prayed-for patients had fewer and less severe new illnesses, fewer doctor visits, fewer hospitalizations and were generally in better moods than those in the control group

Answer 4

I disagree.

Prayer always was present in all the hospitals in the world. It's benefits and comfort to patients was never denied nor argued.

A positive attitude has always been recognized in being a helpful and powerful factor contributing to a healthy recovery.

And prayer was always the last refuge of the dying.

All doctors know that from their patients.

Answer 5

No I dont agree with that, Consider one of your dearet family member is ill, that time do you really like to believe such a stupid research? definitely not. you will pray with all of your heart and soul, and there is a god that hears you and answers you. I knew this because I examined it and every humen being know this, because all of us had examined it when it was needed, so forget the researches, look at your own very heart, it can tell you the truth. and remember this sentence that I heard form a priest in a movie:
" for believers there is no need to any evidence, and for unbelievers no evidence is enough."

Answer 6

Sounds like you already haved formed an answer to your own question.

However, prayer does indeed work. The "proof is in the pudding". Here are just a few examples:

The fall of the Berlin Wall was as a result of prayer.

http://www3.sympatico.ca/ian.ritchie/Berlin.Wall.htm

Here is proof that people who pray are much more likely to have healthier and longer lives.

http://1stholistic.com/Prayer/hol_prayer_proof.htm

Here is prayer's effect on nature and your surroundings.

http://www.wellnessgoods.com/messages.asp

I myself have laid hands on my son and prayed during his bout with bronchitis and fever and within a day it was completely gone!

The evidence is overwhelming. You ought to try it some time. It really does work.

Answer 7

You know something? A person at my school did a project where she grew two sets of identical plants and prayed for one set. That one did vastly better... it was amazing. There are other studies. Go get a second opinion and then decide what you think.

Answer 8

I disagree,i know for a fact that prayer works,maybe the people did'nt have faith in God to heal them.The Bible say's by the measure of your faith you will be healed.Also God has a plan for all of us,and maybe he had another plan for those people,also God also chastises those he loves,just as you would your own child.You correct your children because you love them,and some times I think God tests our faith in him,sometimes healing is a process,but instant healing is a miracle.

Answer 9

Prayer: Our Father, deliver us from evil: Matthew 6:13.
Answer: We are delivered from the law: Romans 7:6.

The GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ with you all. Amen.

Answer 10

Yes, Prayer Does work!