does praying work?

Question

im just wondering if there are any statistics or evidence that praying/ sending thoughts out into the universe actually makes things happen?
thank a lot

Answer 1

Elizabeth Mayer, Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Stanford, professor at U.C. Berkeley, after trying other means, followed a friend's suggestion to try a dowser to locate her daughter's stolen harp. The dowser succeeded--and thus began the scientific investigation into the validity and reliability of non-mainstream/non-strictly-materialistic claims, which she recounts in her "Extraordinary Knowing."

One source she consulted is Temple University's "Center for Frontier Sciences" ()
She listened to one of their taped lectures by Dr. Robert Jahn, professor of aerospace sciences at Princeton. She describes her study in her book: "I pored over the skeptics' challenges to the PEAR [Princeton Engineering Anomalies Research] research; not one presented a serious examination that might debunk it....none came up with plausible arguments criticizing either the overall data or methods of analysis. They argued instead with small statisitcal details or general philosophical implications."

She sent a copy of a paper she was writing for the 75th anniversary of the "International Journal of Psychoanalysis" to Dr. Jahn, as she mentioned his work. He contacted her, they began educating one another in their respective fields, and she was invited to join the International Consciousness Research Labs (ICRL), of which Jahn was a member. ()

The ICRL subsequently developed a model which seeks to explain how focused, fervent intentions move from unconscious and intangible dynamics to conscious and tangible dynamics. The Stanford professor of engineering, Dr. William Tiller, has done outstanding research into the quantum-based structure of psi or prayer: . A more mystical site dealing with physics and spirituality is .

Thus, there are these any many other serious investigators who are proving that various prayer works. (An occasional, too often poorly constructed, study of e.g. influence of prayer on medical patients being little or none, appears, but the more tightly-focused research indeed has proven human intentionality able to influence. Tiller's "Psychoenergetic Science" is an excellent place to start; O. M. Aivanhov's "Hope for the World: Spiritual Galvanoplasty" includes interesting discussions of e.g. ruby lasers, and is far less technical.

As to spirituality, guests on http://www.coasttocoastam.com often discuss the intersection between prayer and efficacy. "Mary Baker Eddy: Christian Healer," von Fettweis, is an excellent history of a genuine American healer.

Four other books may be of interest: "Expecting Adam," by Dr. Martha Beck, who found numinous evidence of prayer in her pregnancy--which she, an atheist at the time, chose not to abort. Her book is truly inspiring and worthwhile. "Talks with Great Composers," Arthur Abell, M.D., is a record of his talks about creativity and God with Johannes Brahms, and is worthwhile. "The Great Divorce" by C. S. Lewis is a Christian classic, and worth reading. It is a novella about life after death.. "Climb the Highest Mountain," by Mark L. Prophet, gives more details about how prayer works.

Answer 2

Ah, the Secret Oprah mentioned, the method Christians use. Personally, I believe it's more of a placebo affect; if you believe it'll work, you'll be more confident and hopeful, not to mention the fact that you potentially work harder to achieve the goal. I don't believe, however, that it sends out some message to the universe or any god answering, and I do have evidence: on Nightline (and 20/20, but the evidence comes from Nightline mainly), they did a study on The Secret (featured on Oprah), which claims that when you send out a thought of want, the universe picks up on it and helps you claim it. They studied evidence on Nightline and found that though it has somewhat of a placebo affect, no evidence shows that it helps.

Answer 3

I cannot tell you about any statistics or evidences about "does praying work?". But, actually, what do you mean by that? ... maybe...if you could obtain from God what are you asking for? ... considering your pray like an amount of money, as a payment for achieving you task?
The prayers tell us about how important is for our souls to give thanks to God for everything is happening in our lives. And Got will do what will be better for your existence. And will bless you.

Answer 4

But prayers dont go traveling thru the universe im not much of a religious guy myself but i know it helps a lot of people it brings peace, harmony and feeling better about not being to overwhelmed with life since life can be hard at times and it is a pretty inmense universe anything that makes us be happy is good you pray to your self because if you believe that there might be something than him she or it is listening.
im sure you believe in something even if it's someone like your parents, siblings, friends what ever that may be than that means you believe in something.

Answer 5

If it makes you feel better, then surely it could be said to 'work'. As for having any influence over the world, probably only through your own actions.
So if it makes you feel better and you do good things, then you might argue it works.
However, if you think some great hairy guy in the sky will make all your dreams come true because you squeezed your eyes shut for a couple of minutes, I think you might be disappointed.

Answer 6

Yes, prayer has worked for me many, many times but I never send thoughts out into the universe - I pray to Almighty-God in the name of His beloved Son, Jesus Christ.
I pray and He answers.

Answer 7

I don't think you'll ever find conclusive evidence for or against. But my belief and experience is the it works if you pray for the good of others within the context of God's will. When you pray for yourself it works only if you pray for spiritual things like forgiveness or strength. If you pray for external things or circumstances, it definitely doesn't work. Sometimes in desperation we try it, me included, but it doesn't work.

Answer 8

Humans are weak and consequently get into difficulties and most time not able to see way out of problems.With such a frame of mind,immense consolation can be found in prayer.Prayer can also helps in the development of noble qualities as truthfulness,forgiveness,patience,fortitude,benevolence ect...Congregational prayes can be a necessary for society in reducing confrontations and quarrels.In prayer your soul stands unveiled before the Creator.

Answer 9

Indeed they do. But I find I get a much better response to prayers I say for somebody else, real miracles, but you must mean what you pray for, or else it just falls on deaf ears so to speak, and don't ask for too much. A lot of the time you don't even realize your prayer has been answered. It's very important to give thanks to God for nothing, just say thanks.

If you don't get up praying yourself. Start today and prove me right. Even if all you say it thanks.

Good Luck and God Bless.

Answer 10

Whoa, have you ever heard of "Be nonetheless and comprehend that i'm God. playstation . 40 six:10. Jesus will go back at the same time as that is time. there is no longer something guy can do to % it up. there is artwork to be performed, like getting the gospel out to the international and that is taking position.Sorry to disagree with you, study the e book of Revelation at the same time as Jesus returns,no longer the rapture, yet to guage the international this international would get replaced. As undesirable because that is to take heed to about infant abuse and all the different poor issues in this international we ought to understand that that is the fallen condition we stay in. that is our duty to help those in soreness, no longer blame God. keep your breathe and aspects up yelling at God for the rotten international we stay in, pass help someone a lot less fortunate and ask God that would help you.

Answer 11

Praying works, but only under certain conditions. First, if you are praying to anyone or anything other than the one true God, you are wasting your time. Second, in order for God to hear and answer your prayers, you must pray with a sincere, humble heart that believes that Jesus Christ is the divine son of God.
You should also know that God always answers prayers but not always the way we want. His answer will be according to His perfect will, not our selfish desires. He can answer with a "yes", "no", or "wait patiently".