You've no doubt heard by now of the $2.4 million study that reported that heart surgery patients showed no benefit when strangers prayed for their recovery. The study, financed by Templeton Foundation, followed about 1800 patients at six medical centers. Three Christian groups prayed for particular patients, starting the night before surgery and continuing for two weeks. The volunteers prayed for "successful surgery with a quick, healthy recovery and no complications" for specific patients. The patients were split into three groups: those who knew they were being prayed for, those who were prayed for but only knew it was a possiblity, and those who weren't prayed for but were told it was a possibility.
Among patients who received prayers, 59% of the patients who knew they were being prayed for developed a complication, versus 52% of those who were told that it was only a possibility that someone would be praying for them.
I've been hearing all week--"Prayer has no effect on the sick." I don't think I need a scientific study to determine whether or not Christians should pray for the sick. Dr. David Stevens, executive director of the Christian Medical and Dental Associations, said he believes intercessory prayer can influence medical outcomes, but that science is not equipped to explore it. He is quoted as saying: "Do we control God through prayer? Theologians would say absolutely not. God decides sometimes to intervene, and sometimes not...I don't think...it's going to stop people praying for the sick." [Source: AP story reported in The Las Vegas Sun].
I was just studying 1 Thessalonians 1. Paul told the church he was always praying for them. That is not the only time Paul writes of his constant intercessory prayer. I think he believed in it!
So did James--"Is anyone sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him . . . The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much" [James 5:14, 16 NASB].
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