Are you aware of the facts that prayer is being identified as an ineffective activity?

Question

An abstract from the article:

The New York Times , March 31, 2006

"Long-Awaited Medical Study Questions the Power of Prayer
By BENEDICT CAREY
Prayers offered by strangers had no effect on the recovery of people who were undergoing heart surgery, a large and long-awaited study has found.

And patients who knew they were being prayed for had a higher rate of post-operative complications like abnormal heart rhythms, perhaps because of the expectations the prayers created, the researchers suggested.

Because it is the most scientifically rigorous investigation of whether prayer can heal illness, the study, begun almost a decade ago and involving more than 1,800 patients, has for years been the subject of speculation.

The question has been a contentious one among researchers. Proponents have argued that prayer is perhaps the most deeply human response to disease, and that it may relieve suffering by some mechanism that is not yet understood. ..."

The entire article can be seen here: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/31/health/31pray.html?ex=1182657600&en=fb6a9883caa42f93&ei=5070

Answer 1

I've been telling Christians that for YEARS...and here is the PROOF:
http://www.dimaggio.org/Eye-Openers/prayer_does_not_work.htm

But, for whatever reason, logic and critical thinking make no sense to them. The ones who knew they were being prayed for actually did WORSE. How does a Chiristian explain that?

Answer 2

This isn't the first study to find this, but it is the most thorough done thus far.

There is the famous case of the "Colombia miracle study" that proved prayer worked, and was found to be a fraud, proving that not only does prayer not work, but that some christians considered it fine to lie about it, too.

For makemeaspark, the link to the NYT article published 31/3/2006 is in my sources. Is this another christian lie to cover up valid, empirical research that furthers the case for proving that god does not exist?

Answer 3

The same people that believe in god's plain pray to change it. This article although good they wont prove to them anything. They think god is the reason for everything. If this came out of an really old book written by like 100 people and talked about talking fire bushes and a loving god that killed the first child of everyone, I bet then they would believe it, but this is way to far-fetched.

Answer 4

I have read that article. I think it proves only that prayer that is being watched is ineffective. I am not a religious kook or a ludite or anything but I have practiced prayer for about ten years and have seen it work undeniably, irrefutably (to me) probably forty or fifty times.
One of the things about it is that it "likes" to take affect when nobody is looking. Its hard to explain.
The study is correct and valuable and prayer is correct and valuable.
A spiritual understanding creates space for the coexistence of opposites. Unfortunately most religionists will not grasp this and will instead attack science like bewildered children or else lose faith *sigh*. On the other hand, materialists will rejoice even though they can't see the whole picture. That's the world.

Answer 5

As best as I can think-I dont know of one family that believes in Jesus that hasnt had a miracle healing in it.

For me my eyes were healed I use to have to wear glasses now I have 20/20 vision, Yesterday a man told me how Jesus had healed his son-and he is trying to explain it to an athiest who says it is impossible for God do do a miracle because there is no God.

I have seen drunks sober in a second praying and coming to Jesus-from almost a stupor stage

this is how I learned to know Jesus so my prayers would be effectivecaring about God and his creation to pray for each in their own special gift and care for others=this is what helped me understand = there is an answer to my deapest heart concerns too =Jesus is the answer "Love/unconditionally God and, care for all people as you care for yourself, love your enemies, and do good unto them."
the gospels.

this is what changed my heart to know the word of God=Isaiah (chapter:verse 9:6) "Unto us a child is born a son is given, and he will be the mighty God, the everlasting father, the wonderful counselor, and the prince of peace."

In the year 70 after the Messiah came. The Jewish temple was destroyed leaving no other way of forgiveness of sins as promised.
some had believed in the Messiah and though still Jewish or gentile they became followers of the Messiah knowing him personally.
The reason why the temple was allowed to be destroyed was that Messiah had come. He fulfilled the needed blood sacrifice of Isaiah 52:13-53:12 "He shall be exalted. He will be marred more than any man. He will lay down his life to make atonement for our sins. He will die with the wicked and be burried with the rich. He will see his seed and prosper."

this is how I finally believed Jesus Authorized words spoken from heaven for us =Revelation 1:1& 3:19&20 "I love you, and ask you to repent from your sins, Behold I knock on your heart door, if you ask me in I will become your friend."

So I prayed; "I am sorry for my sins, come into my heart Jesus and help me, be my friend, amen."

and the ultimate Word Revelation 22 Jesus says "If you add to my Word I will put plagues upon you." "If you try to take out from my Word, you will not go to heaven."

Jesus promised to all that will believe Him "The Word that I have spoken the same shall judge thee in the last day." John 12:48

We get to chose, I am so glad I chose to let Jesus into my heart to be my Messiah, Savior and best friend-what joy and true love, with inner peace and happiness.

I realize some will believe Jesus and some will not. Please realize -every thing has a beginning because God is eternal and infinate/unlimited, we are created and finite yet we will live forever in heaven or the place described as everlasting weeping and gnashing teeth-Matthew 24 last verse and Revelation 19-22 describes the agony more and also the joy of heaven for all who will believe and recieve Jesus -to worship the creator in thankfulness instead of the created.

and when your God you can do anything you desire-all he has done is in our best interest but we have to chose-we are not puppets made from and in the image of a tree.

have the nicest day ever, thanks for the good question, and pondering with curiosity is a good thing-and since God has 3 forms (like H2O steam, ice & water yet always H2O, He is always in fellowship, yet He loves to fellowship with us too.

prayer does change things

Answer 6

That study relates to prayers by others to effect a cure.
What if the disease was actually meant for the patient to suffer?

Also the power of individual prayer to give fortitude to cope is fairly well understood even if it is a form of auto suggestion.

Answer 7

Wait - you're quoting the Times like its reliable. That's problem #1.

Problem #2, this "study" was conducted by athiests out to prove prayer doesn't work. Hmmm... Scientific method dictates that you cannot have a preconceived outcome at the start of an investigation or you will find only the evidence to support your flawed hypothesis.

Answer 8

It not known to whom the prayers were addressed. It is not known who the strangers were. With these two unknowns we do not know which religion the study was directed at and we cannot ascertain why the prayers were ineffective.

Answer 9

First of all please open your bible and read Isaiah 59:1,2. Ask yourself if you really fulfill the requirements to receive an answer to your prayer.

Now if you have been sincerely to yourself ask yourself why did those people submitted themselves to this study? Is it because they believed God will listen those who prayed for them? I guess not.

Into this case why should God answer the prayer? Just so they can say "oh it's a strange coincidence, the doc did a great Job helped by my power of will and auto determination"?

Answer 10

So, please write my name on the list of those who disagree with that, because I was healed by prayers and I know many others that was healed too.
I am saying what I experienced in my life, not what I heard from somebody or read in a news paper.
Now I say just as the blind man whom Jesus gave his sight back said when the pharisee told him Jesus was a sinner and he replied "if he is or not I don't know, what I know is that I was blind and now I see", then if this research is true or not I don't care I know I was sick and now I'm healed