Does God answer prayer?

[Avatar4321]

Study says yes!

http://www.physorg.com/news93105311.html

Does God answer prayer? ASU research says 'yes'

Does God or some other type of transcendent entity answer prayer? The answer, according to a new Arizona State University study published in the March journal Research on Social Work Practice, is "yes."

David R. Hodge, an assistant professor of social work in the College of Human Services at Arizona State University, conducted a comprehensive analysis of 17 major studies on the effects of intercessory prayer – or prayer that is offered for the benefit of another person – among people with psychological or medical problems. He found a positive effect.

“There have been a number of studies on intercessory prayer, or prayer offered for the benefit of another person,” said Hodge, a leading expert on spirituality and religion. “Some have found positive results for prayer. Others have found no effect. Conducting a meta-analysis takes into account the entire body of empirical research on intercessory prayer. Using this procedure, we find that prayer offered on behalf of another yields positive results.”

Hodge’s work is featured in the March, 2007, issue of Research on Social Work Practice, a disciplinary journal devoted to the publication of empirical research on practice outcomes. It is widely recognized as one of the most prestigious journals in the field of social work.

Hodge noted that his study is important because it is a compilation of available studies and is not a single work with a single conclusion. His “Systematic Review” takes into account the findings of 17 studies that used intercessory prayer as a treatment in practice settings.

“Some people feel Benson and associates’ study from last year, which is the most recent and showed no positive effects for intercessory prayer, is the final word,” said Hodge, referring to a 2006 article by Dr. Herbert Benson of the Harvard Medical School that measured the therapeutic effect of intercessory prayer in cardiac bypass patients. “But, this research suggests otherwise. This study enables us to look at the big picture. When the effects of prayer are averaged across all 17 studies, controlling for differences in sample sizes, a net positive effect for the prayer group is produced.

“This is the most thorough and all-inclusive study of its kind on this controversial subject that I am aware of,” said Hodge. “It suggests that more research on the topic may be warranted, and that praying for people with psychological or medical problems may help them recover.”

The use of prayer as a therapeutic intervention is controversial. Yet, Hodge notes that survey research indicates that many people use intercessory prayer as an intervention to aid healing, which raises questions about its effectiveness as an intervention strategy.

“Overall, the meta-analysis indicates that prayer is effective. Is it effective enough to meet the standards of the American Psychological Association’s Division 12 for empirically validated interventions? No. Thus, we should not be treating clients suffering with depression, for example, only with prayer. To treat depression, standard treatments, such as cognitive therapy, should be used as the primary method of treatment.”

In addition to his inclusion in the upcoming issue of Research on Social Work Practice, Hodge is widely published and has appeared on the pages of Social Work, Social Work Research, Journal of Social Service Research, Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, and Families in Society. He has also authored the book “Spiritual assessment: A handbook for helping professionals.”

Source: Arizona State University

Thought it was an interesting study.

 

[jillian]

I figure prayer is like chicken soup. It can't hurt and it can only help.

But the caveat given is that it doesn't help enough to ignore medical treatments. Seems fair enough. I'm wondering though if the people studied KNEW that they were being prayed for. Seems there would certainly be a placebo effect if that's the case.

 

[CockySOB]

Sure He does! Sometimes the answer is "yes." Sometimes the answer is "no." And sometimes the answer is "not yet...."

 

[manu1959]

Sure He does! Sometimes the answer is "yes." Sometimes the answer is "no." And sometimes the answer is "not yet...."

good answer but....i do not belive god is a man....no way a man goes through this much trouble or puts up with this much shit.....

 

[CockySOB]

good answer but....i do not belive god is a man....no way a man goes through this much trouble or puts up with this much shit.....

Who do you think gave humanity the idea for a channel changer?

And the idea of a MUTE button?

 

[Mr.Conley]

Study says yes!

http://www.physorg.com/news93105311.html



Thought it was an interesting study.

PRAISE ALLAH!

HIS GLORY knows NO bound.

 

[Scooter]

I'm wondering though if the people studied KNEW that they were being prayed for. Seems there would certainly be a placebo effect if that's the case.

Since the "study" was simply a meta-analysis of 17 other studies, your answer might be different in each case.

But a good question.

From a scientific standpoint...if you're trying to isolate the effectiveness of the act of intercessory prayer, and you need to eliminate as many other variables as possible, you absolutely make it blind (ie those being prayed for aren't aware of it).

 

[jasendorf]

I say we put it to a real test. The religious should sign cards saying, "if I'm in a horrible car wreck, don't treat me... just pray" and carry them in their wallets. At least the Jehovah's Witnesses are close to this in their "no blood" cards.

 

[CockySOB]

I say we put it to a real test. The religious should sign cards saying, "if I'm in a horrible car wreck, don't treat me... just pray" and carry them in their wallets. At least the Jehovah's Witnesses are close to this in their "no blood" cards.

Why? What is that supposed to prove? Or was this a case of underdeveloped sarcasm?

 

[jodylee]

Why? What is that supposed to prove? Or was this a case of underdeveloped sarcasm?

it would test their faith, infact, why dont they kill themseves, heavens waiting, what r u waiting for.

 

[manu1959]

it would test their faith, infact, why dont they kill themseves, heavens waiting, what r u waiting for.

please tell me you are not this naive.....

 

[manu1959]

I say we put it to a real test. The religious should sign cards saying, "if I'm in a horrible car wreck, don't treat me... just pray" and carry them in their wallets. At least the Jehovah's Witnesses are close to this in their "no blood" cards.

i say we put all the libs on a plane to the middle east so you can negotiate with the terrorists ......

 

[jodylee]

please tell me you are not this naive.....

religion is naive. and a waste of time. your awnser was typically self ricious

 

[jodylee]

religion is naive. and a waste of time. your awnser was typically self ricious

get off ya high hourse.

 

[jillian]

i say we put all the libs on a plane to the middle east so you can negotiate with the terrorists ......

 

[jillian]

Since the "study" was simply a meta-analysis of 17 other studies, your answer might be different in each case.

But a good question.

From a scientific standpoint...if you're trying to isolate the effectiveness of the act of intercessory prayer, and you need to eliminate as many other variables as possible, you absolutely make it blind (ie those being prayed for aren't aware of it).

You're correct that my answer might be different in each case. But the link joins all of them for a cumulative result, so that's all I had. And thanks.

I think in a study that's well-constructed, you'd be absolutely correct that it would be a blind study. That's why I'm curious about it.

FWIW, I think the result, that it helps, but not enough to replace medical cures, sounds about right to me.

 

[Mr.Conley]

Seconded, it's practically impossible to weed out all the varients... no one can truely comprehend the power of the Invisible Pink Unicorn.

 

[jasendorf]

Why? What is that supposed to prove? Or was this a case of underdeveloped sarcasm?

Probably a case of underdeveloped sarcasm.

 

[jasendorf]

Seconded, it's practically impossible to weed out all the varients... no one can truely comprehend the power of the Invisible Pink Unicorn.

Or FSM... His noddly appendages work in mysterious ways...

 

[Mr.Conley]

Or FSM... His noddly appendages work in mysterious ways...

Ramen