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Christianity Today, May, 2009 |

What Do Prayer Studies Prove?

When a landmark study suggests that intercessory prayer may actually hurt patients instead of help them, you have to wonder.

Gregory Fung and Christopher Fung | posted 5/15/2009 09:03AM

Should your doctor prescribe prayer as part of your treatment? According to a study of 1,134 physicians this past December by Health Care Direct Research, the majority of doctors (70 percent) believe ...

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Dr. James Willingham

Posted: May 27, 2009 9:35 PM


One thing worse than a prayer answered in the negative is a prayer with a yes answer which turns out to be bane in the long run.

Timothy Stevens

Posted: May 26, 2009 12:25 AM

The cursory conclusion to this article appears to parallel a " tempting of God" much the same as Jesus before Herod who wanted to see a miracle but Jesus would not oblige him. What actual conclusion would one reach if the intent is already biased to disprove prayer/ Now the text subjects appear on a level start point insomuch that each group already had medical intervention but what seems unequal is the immeasuarable quantatative variable of the quality of their recovery. This is such an individual variable which seems unfair to conclude a demarkation of better or worse based on the absense or presense of such a vague term as "prayer". I assume prayer was to God through Jesus Christ but this is not at all specified. All religions pray- but do these or their agents connect to the living God? God heals today. I know it personally and so does my family members, but we were not specimens relying on " prayers" , rather we are believers relying on God who heals all our diseases.

susan

Posted: May 25, 2009 3:28 PM

This is just amazing that there would actually be a study of this kind. There is no measure of the efficacy of any person's prayer. We simply do what God has said clearly in the OT and what is clearly said and demonstrated in the NT, by our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus. I did not mean to hit all the stars, but I guess it is a good article if one wants to see how ridicules human "research" is getting.

as	Posted: May 23, 2009 5:38 PM

Interesting article indeed! These are the things I take away from this article: First, God is sovereign - he does as he pleases. That is not a bad thing, since he is also a very loving God. Second, God so loves that even if you do not acknowledge him, he will still provide for you, that is amazing grace. Third, it is little wonder that you can only please God by faith. Keep the faith brothers and sisters, we serve a loving God!

Stephen Bernard

Posted: May 23, 2009 1:40 PM

Ample proofs are available for healing through prayers. Last year, in the Fresh Fire Conference in Florida, the World witnessed miraculous healings and signs and wonders. Our God lives and whoever prayers in the name of Jesus believing, He will manifest His Glory to establish the truth that His Kingdom is at Hand! Praise the Lord. Watch Gospel TV Channels for the answers to prayers and there is no need for any study to prove that God answers prayers.

mjb	Posted: May 22, 2009 10:16 PM

Prayer can be scientifically studied. We need to remember that "scientific study" is simply analyzing reality and human experience in a systematic and numerical fashion. It is something close to what many Christians describe as "testimony." Science can and has given testimony to the presence and power of God. Christian thinkers have embraced this idea since the scientific revolution and the recognition that God reveals the divine character in the "book of nature." The problem with the design of these studies is two-fold: (1) They do not pay attention to who is praying and to whom is being prayed to; and (2) they impose a false outcome on prayer. That false outcome is physical healing / well-being. But God does not always "answer prayer" with physical healing. God does answer these prayers in other ways. Scientific tools already exist that can measure this and give "testimony" to God. It is not about "proving God's existence" but understanding the complexity of God's character.

Hyper

Posted: May 22, 2009 12:58 AM

It sounds like the only reason we should pray is for our own benefit, since there may be no benefit for others, according to this study and others. God doesn't need us to tell him who to heal, and He certainly doesn't have to do what we ask. Name it and claim it people, God doesn't want to heal everyone. Don't tell me Joni Erickson doesn't have enough faith. You're just hurting people who are already hurting with extra guilt if you tell them they arent healed because they lack faith.

Jennifer

Posted: May 21, 2009 10:52 AM


I would highly recommend Philip Yancey's book Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? I enjoyed the discussion and the exploration of the topic.

Linnea Boese

Posted: May 21, 2009 6:31 AM

I am thankful for this carefully thought-out analysis. I am a missionary working among animists, and this has made me truly sensitive to the idea that prayer equals magic. I now see much of our American/Western ideas of prayer as coming perilously close to the same understanding. Whereas Jesus, when he taught us to pray, said ". . . for your Father knows what you need before you ask . . .therefore when you pray, say . . . thy will be done . . .", many of us consciously ignore this and do exactly what he taught us not to do: pray as the pagans do, with many words, thinking it more efficacious. On the other hand, there was the parable of the woman whose persistence brought results from even an unjust judge. What it says is that our Father and Judge is not unjust, but loving. He will answer. As the article says, are we ready for his answer? Or do we insist that it be the one we want?

dave	Posted: May 20, 2009 3:42 PM

Interesting, informative, thought provoking article. From the article: "Two of the groups received prayer from committed Christians with experience praying for the sick." Sounds like there may been a "respecter of persons" issue where the glory for any healing would have gone to the "committed Christians with experience praying for the sick" rather than God. What if inexperienced Christians with weak commitment were used instead, then any healing would really be a miracle attributable only to God...

Janet

Posted: May 20, 2009 1:06 PM


All I know is, I continue to pray because Jesus prayed a lot when He was on earth.

azue	Posted: May 20, 2009 12:59 PM

I am 48 yrs. old and I was told that I have chf, and has worsen through the years . I know for a fact that it was God himself who has kept me alive, and not just the medicine. I am not saying that I am against taking medications, but as christians we all should know that medicines are pharma, which means that they could be sometimes addictive, containing a whole lot of drug substances. I do take my medicine, and I do take it in Jesus Name. sometimes, I forget to take my medicines sometimes for a couple of days, tell me how am I still here? besides, in the biblical days they used herbs not medicines that contained other substances. all responds are welcomed!

missionsmark

Posted: May 20, 2009 10:18 AM

We have to be open to the disquieting prospect that God does not always want us to be healed when we ask. That he knows and sees far beyond what we are able to is certain. What we struggle with is the fact that sometimes our happiness, comfort or even health are not the highest priorities on his list. If Paul asked 3 times for relief from the thorn in his flesh, I can believe the most effective of intercessors can't expect that God will heal in every case. If the death of his saints is indeed blessed in the eyes of the Lord, I suspect that he is not always anxious to bring about the healing that would defer those deaths. Pray earnestly, because God has, does and will continue to heal. But pray in humility not presuming to know God's will in all situations. And pray expectantly, confident that when God does reveal his will it will be the best for those that are his.

virgie

Posted: May 20, 2009 9:04 AM


the fervent prayer of a righteous man oa woman availeth much, have faith in God

Nancy

Posted: May 20, 2009 7:57 AM


Anyone can be "trained to pray", but it is only those that know God and have a relationship with HIM that can touch the hem of His garment. There are many factors involved in prayer. You have to consider the one being prayed for also! Prayer works with faith.

Joanne

Posted: May 20, 2009 7:07 AM

I personally have been healed of quite a few medical problems through prayer from loving and caring brother and sister Christians. The Bible teaches us in Prov. 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. In verses7-8-9-and 10 He gives us the reasons why! In my journey of life, I acknowlege whomy true Father is. I know His will be done! Sometimes people give up in their belief of who He is and what He can and will do. The world has turned everything that is Holy and true to whatever they want to believe. I personally listen to the Holy Spirit of God, He guides our life,protects us and teaches us.That is if you are a true believer, not a sceptic, things of God are being pulled apart in this day and age. People have given their way of over living life to the evil one instead of seeking the Kingdom of God as the Bible teaches us. Today, if you hear His voice, donot harden your heart

Don	Posted: May 20, 2009 6:07 AM

Jesus prayed, "Thy will be done," and by saying that He taught us that prayer is a privilege for us as participants in what God intends to do on Earth. While we are free to speak our desires to God, He knows them already but His will is already established. Prayer does not change anything about God, and that includes His mind. In order for us to see the effect of prayer on the infirmed, we would have to know God’s will for the infirmed. Knowing God’s will for a particular group of people who are part of a research study would certainly render the study useless in the eyes of many because that knowledge would wipe out the “blindness” that such studies require. Nonetheless, the most effective prayer is the prayer that expresses the exact will of God. If that be the case, and the pray-er could know God’s will before he prayed, no research would be needed...to be continued

THOMAS KAMANA

Posted: May 20, 2009 5:23 AM


Hey! that's wonderfull in America! Yes, God is able! That must touch many persons and poush them near to God! This article must be read by many persons as possible in the world. God Bless you. Thomas K.

Paul	Posted: May 20, 2009 3:45 AM

There is more than enough evidence in the Scriptures - both the old and new that it is God's will to always to heal us when we are sick. Again we know that the way to receive from God, healing or any other blessing is primarily by faith. Hebrews 11:6 says no one can please or satisfy God completely without faith. And no one means no one, period. So putting the two facts together, 1) we know God's will about healing [i.e. He will always heal sicknesses], and 2) faith moves the hand of God into our circumstances, there is no reason why God won't work to bring healing when we ask Hin IN FAITH. We don't have to pray ending our prayer with the phrase "if it be Thy will" then Lord heal me because He has already revealed His will on healing. It is because praying this way introduces doubt and hinders our prayer and healing from coming to pass.

Mark M

Posted: May 20, 2009 1:52 AM

It is a useful article. It reminds us that God cannot be measured and analysed by men - as Job eventually worked out. It reminds us that while God tests us we are told more than once in scripture not to test God. However I and, I imagine, almost every Christian can testify to extraordinary 'coincidences' of physical, mental and spiritual healing, and of the sudden onset of strength in times of suffering or fear, which directly follow prayer. Especially when 2 or 3 are gathered together in prayer. And, yes, I agree with Rosie S, His answers are sometimes unexpected but in retrospect ... wow!

Jacob Friesen

Posted: May 20, 2009 12:16 AM

It seems to me silly, to actually spend time and dollars to 'study' what Almighty God has emphatically endorsed as a life imperative. "Is any one sick among you? Let him pray." --- "The prayer of faith will save the sick." ... "In everything - by prayer and supplication, let your requests be made known unto God." The Bible is rich with other examples throughout. The problem lies not with whether we do or don't pray for the healing of the sick, but rather with the prayer content, the personal relationship of the person praying with the Great Physician being addressed, and the perception by the patient of the nature of the intercession. When the patient is being overwhelmed by the impression that his/her illness may in fact be more critical than he/she was given to believe, the psychological response may well be to trigger a digression that becomes a hurdle to natural healing mechanisms the Creator built into the body. Prayer needs to become and aid, not an intervention to that.

Richard Centner

Posted: May 19, 2009 11:21 PM

I'm a former radio medical editor. I was sent home to die in my teens, given up as dead by an EMT in my 30s, had several serious surgeries, and been an Alzheimer's caregiver for my wife for eight years. My point? I've seen serious medical conditions up close and from a theoretical perspective. I've also followed research on several major diseases, always through the eyes of a Reformed Christian. Having read several prayer studies, I'll rely on what I know from my own experience. Such studies are as worthless as the Jesus Seminar. Even when there wasn't a cure, prayer provided comfort and strength. God gives us what we need, not always what we want, with HIS plan in view. [Gen. 50:20] God's plan is perfect, but we can no more understand it than someone who has never played chess can understand the moves of a chess Master. I commend to your reading "When God Weeps" by Joni Eareckson Tada and Steve Estes. You may see God in a new light. You'll be humbled, but reassured.

Dinkidi

Posted: May 19, 2009 9:33 PM


Since the prayed-for patients in the STEP study were worse off healthwise after their operations, isn't it possible that Satan used these situations to attack the faith of the Christians involved by making life more difficult for the patients? See the book of Job and Ephesians 6:12.

John Weymouth

Posted: May 19, 2009 7:57 PM

Personally I have had 2 supernatural healings through my own prayer of surgeon diagnosed osteo-arthritis in my neck and lower back, and second of an ulcerated and perforated bowel Diverticulum through the prayer and anointing with oil by the pastor and Elders of the Church I was a member of. Subsequently though in spite of much prayer I required an operation to replace a defective heart valve. However after the operation as I was being brought to conciousness I became agitated and started to haemorage. This took 3 hours to control. When I was brought ot conciousness early next morning I had a vivid picture of being in a cocoon which was protecting me from various missles thrown at me. Two weeks later at Church I discovered that a lady in the fellowship had at that exact time been impressed that she needed to pray for me. She didn't know why so prayed in the Spirit. She went to stop a number of times but was impressed to keep praying for the three hours at which time she had a peace

Rosie S

Posted: May 19, 2009 6:57 PM

I love reading these comments! My main problem with this topic is the reference to prayer "working", or not, as if it were some kind of magic, or a medicine that you could test for efficacy. It is God who works, not 'prayer', but we are invited to pray in order to join Him in what He is doing. Sometimes we act too much like we are the ones in control of everything, like we would know what is best even if we got it. Only God has the wisdom and the power to answer prayers, and He cannot be tested like this. For Patrick, I would like to recommend also a book by Philip Yancey called "Disappointment With God". He is not afraid to ask all the big questions, and I think he comes up with some very satisfying answers. Keep searching! And cling to the faith you have.

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