1-How Effective is Prayer? Scientific Research 1-How Effective is Prayer?by Helene Ciaravino SCIENCE TAKES THE PLUNGE INTO PRAYER We live in a science-oriented culture. Evaluations are made according to observation� especially scientific and mathematical proof. The problem is that the power of prayer cannot be observed with the senses or recorded on paper. We can report, for example, that a person�s health improves, and that the person actively prayed prior to the improvement, but can we ever really link the prayers to the enhanced health without taking a leap of faith? After years of dismissing prayer as a �mind over matter� technique� a type of self-hypnosis� science is finally starting to probe deeply into this area. In the 1960s, several studies were conducted on the effects of prayer, but they were too small to be considered convincing. For example, one looked at eighteen children who suffered from leukemia. Another involved forty-eight people with rheumatic illnesses. Both came up with positive feedback on the power of prayer. But while some people were encouraged by these studies, the strictly scientific community scoffed at their conclusions. In the opinion of these scientists, the research was simply not conducted in a manner that was convincing enough to put prayer into the medical journals. Researchers needed to prepare studies that would stand up against the scrutiny of science. Until then, studies wouldn�t be of much value. Fast-forward approximately two decades. Some say it was during the height of corporate obsession in the 1980s that a renewed interest in researching spirituality and prayer arose. Whatever the case, the New Age movement gained in popularity, promoting the benefits of prayer and meditation, relaxation, communion with nature, and a celebration of the metaphysical. All of a sudden, stores were selling prayer beads, crystals, zither recordings, and incense. Book publishers began turning out volume after volume on angel visitation and near-death experiences. Television shows on paranormal occurrences and miraculous events mesmerized audiences. It was obvious that the American public was spiritually hungry, and along with that hunger came a demand to know if prayer was truly effective. It wasn�t long before the benefits of prayer would be discussed not only around kitchen tables and in college classrooms, but also in medical research buildings and hospitals. The practice of praying for increased physical and mental health is more ancient than numbers can tell. But it was time to test the validity of such practice with well constructed scientific studies. There were, and still are, many people who argued against the clinical study of prayer. The bottom line is this: Those who believe that prayer works have faith that surpasses numerical and material proof. They know how prayer operates in their lives from experience. In such light, putting God to the test seems ridiculous. And they have a strong point. Why subject something immaterial and immeasurable to observation? The problem, as previously mentioned, is that we live in a science- oriented culture. Thus, it is thought that any scientific proof for or against prayer can provide us with the ultimate answer we are seeking. In plain English, if we can�t prove something, it must be wrong. On the other hand, if something can survive scientific investigation and come out on top, it�s considered valid. Consciously or unconsciously, many of us seek that type of confirmation. So the following section looks at the most respected scientific studies conducted on prayer. But first, it should be noted that while many studies of prayer have yielded positive results, not all prayer studies have proven the physical efficacy of prayer. For those who believe in prayer, the failure of these studies means nothing. And even to those who have questionable or no faith in the power of prayer, it should be evident that scientific prayer studies can go only so far. It is impossible to absolutely �control� prayer in a study. Furthermore, answers to prayers are not always obvious, and not always given in ways that the scientific world would consider positive. For example, if a woman prays that her mother will receive help in her illness, the prayers might contribute to her mother�s recovery from the sickness, or they might help the mother gain better coping skills to endure the illness. A clinical study on prayer�s effectiveness would look only for the first outcome. Scientific studies measure the effects of prayer against only one desired result. So it is important to generally acknowledge the limits of studies on prayer�both those that are successful and those that are not.
Posted on: Sat, 27 Jul 2013 21:34:23 +0000
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