Prayer doesn't heal the sick or injured says study

"A study on the healing and therapeutic power of prayer from strangers finds that it offers no miracle to the recovery of cardiac bypass surgery patients.

"The findings are directly contrary to a long-cherished and ingrained belief held by some religious people and groups that prayers by good-intentioned strangers help patients recover.

"The results of the $2.4 million dollar study were published in the American Heart Journal.

"The study, involving more than 1,800 patients, was the largest ever to weigh the effectiveness of intercessory (third party) prayer.

"Patients were studied at six hospitals across the U.S., including St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa, Florida. Most patients were not aware that they were being prayed for. Over 65 percent of the patients said they strongly believe in the power of prayer.

"According to the study, one Protestant prayer group and two Catholic monasteries offered their prayers. The prayer groups were given the patients' first name and the first initial of their last name. Prayers were offered the night before and continued for two weeks after the patient's surgery."
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[This doesn't surprise me at all. Millions of Anglicans pray each week for the Queen's health using the Church of England Book of Common Prayer, and millions pray for the health of the Pope. But they have health, good or ill, just like anyone else -- Pope John Paul I died three weeks after he attained office. I sometimes get Christians and pagans saying -- in fact, even once today -- they will pray for me. Henceforth my answer will be "Then I'll think for both of us".]

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Tagged: religion, christianity, health