Are millions of people who have always believed that prayer works ready to accept the truth?

Question

I'm inclined to think that they are.

Recently, a group of Harvard University cardiologists conducted a ten year research project of 1803 heart patients and the found solid evidence that undermined the effectiveness of prayer. Their conclusion was simply that prayer didn't work. A New York Times news article of the of the study included statements like. "...patients who knew they were being prayed for had a higher rate of post-operative complications..." and, "Prayers offered by strangers had no effect on the recovery of people who were undergoing heart surgery..."

Of the millions who pray, will the weakest of believers in the power of prayer, and perhaps millions of them, be persuaded under the pressure of scientifically derived conclusions based on carefully collected data? Won't this cause more than s few people to question their faith in prayer?

Your comments and opinions are welcome, thanks.

FYI... This answer was given to a similar that asked how religious leaders would respond to the news of the same scientific conclusion:

"denial, wailing, gnashing of teeth, questioning the sanity of the authors of the study, damning the authors to eternal hell fire..

It is the placebo effect. If you believe it works - it "might" work for you. "

I picked it for "Best Answer."

Answer 1

Apparently they are not ready and will never be ready to accept such a premise as prayer being mostly useless. Even if the God (insert name) were to come down and demand an end to the incessant chatter by saying " Shut up ", some folks would still ignore that injunction.

Reminds me of the time Reverend Benny Hanna was questioned by a reporter as to why a woman he miraculously healed on stage with prayer later died of her disease. Benny looked the reporter straight in the face and said, " Maybe she just did not have enough faith " , then Benny turned on his heels and walked away.

Blame the victim and if that doesn't work blame
God ( insert name here). It is well pass due for the princes of religion to have to prove their assertions about God or be charged with fraud.

Answer 2

Prayer works. No matter what Harvard University says. I have personally seen the power that comes from a devout belief in God and prayer.

The funny thing about this "study" is that it is dealing with medicine - something that is so individualized to start with. Just because 1,800 people are included doesn't mean that all the post-op conditions, the condition of the patient and the level of post-op care were exactly the same for everyone (and I thought that is what science was all about - everything the same in every control group).

Trust me when I say that I know, were it not for prayer, my wife wouldn't be alive today.

Answer 3

Well that's interesting, but what exactly are you trying to prove by this? Just because you disregard prayer as hocus pocus doesn't negate faith itself, or hope, or beliefs, wishes, or desire. What if a man did everything rational and reasonably minded, as governed by science, and then decided to pray just for that little extra boost? Would you really deny a possibility just because a group of people came across evidence that it might not work? In the end, it's all a battle of wills, and so the moment of defeat comes when you are unwilling to engage yourself to action, any action, be it practical reasoning or spiritual belief. And if the spiritual belief fails, you at least have practical reasoning to fall back on. So I guess my question back to you is, why not give it a try? Is it not worth a shot?

Answer 4

The experiment made wrong assumptions about God and how he works in our lives so it was flawed from the very beginning. God is not a Santa Claus.

Why should God solve our problems? Is it God's fault that we are in this situation? What have we done to solve our problem? God is not an instrument to be used to solve our problems. God has given us everything we need so that we can live in peace and be happy. When we pray are we asking God for "what is good for us"? He knows what we need before we even ask. Does this mean we should not pray anymore? Of course not. When we pray, we should just let go and let God be God.

Peace and every blessing!

Answer 5

Hmmmmm. Very interesting. But, I'd rather believe that hell exists,and be found wrong, than believe that it doesn't, and find out it does. That would really suck. And plus, the retirement benefits are GREAT.

Answer 6

If I prayed that my friend was cured of cancer, and he was somehow miraculously cured, do you think that was thanks to my prayer? What if I prayed that I would wake up tomorrow morning, and I did, would you believe that was thanks to my prayer? The point of praying is not to change what God will do, but to express your concerns to God. God would ensure that His plan is executed whether someone prays for His plan or no one does at all.

To answer your question, God had alreadly planned the outcomes of all those patients, regardless of prayers. Prayers express our concerns to God, but they do not change Him. If I prayed that someone would die, God wouldn't allow that either obviously. He'd just listen to my concerns. Prayers keep us close to God.

Answer 7

Many tests have been run that have disproven prayer as useful.

However, if a person believes they will get well, they usually will.

Answer 8

Well, since prayer has been highly effective for me and many people I know I'll stick with first hand evidence, thanks.

Answer 9

Believe as you choose and have a great day.
I'll pray for you. :>