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For centuries, Christians have believed and hoped that intercessory prayer makes a difference for others. Recently, some tests were carried out, with mixed results because of poor methodologies and the failure to ensure participation is 'blind' both to the patient and the doctor.
In 2005, the John Templeton Foundation conducted a carefully designed, double-blind trial of the effect of intercessary prayer on the outcome of surgery. The intention was to evaluate whether (1) receiving intercessory prayer or (2) being certain of receiving intercessory prayer was associated with uncomplicated recovery after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. It was felt that previous trials showing a benefit had used sub-optimal methods of data analysis, non standard methods of randomization and allocation concealment, and untested outcome measures, while those showing no effect had insufficient statistical power to reach this conclusion.
Patients at 6 US hospitals were randomly assigned to one of 3 groups: 604 received intercessory prayer after being informed they may or may not receive prayer; 597 did not receive intercessory prayer, also after being informed they may or may not receive prayer; and 601 received intercessory prayer after being informed they would receive prayer. Intercessory prayer was provided for 14 days, starting the night before CABG. Any complication within 30 days of CABG would be regarded as a primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were any major event and mortality.
- Results
In the two groups uncertain about receiving intercessory prayer, complications occurred in:
· 52% (315/604) of patients who received intercessory prayer
· 51% (304/597) of those who did not receive intercessory prayer
Complications occurred in 59% (352/601) of patients who knew they received intercessory prayer. It was suggested that the patient's knowledge that he or she was being prayed for could have caused anxiety, thus resulting in a worse outcome.
Major events and 30-day mortality were similar across the 3 groups.
- Templeton Foundation Conclusions
Intercessory prayer itself had no effect on complication-free recovery, but certainty of receiving intercessory prayer was associated with a higher incidence of complications.
What else can I help you with?
Can you make a prayer request?
Sure you can. A Prayer Request is just asking others to pray for you. This could be from friends, a post on facebook, or online at a prayer request site like GODPleaseHearMe.
Would it make a difference if one wheel was bigger than the others?
can be
What Winnie did to make a difference in the world. In Tuck Everlasting?
help others
How did Leonardo da Vinci make a difference in the life of others?
new art
Can Obama make a difference in history?
Any politician can make a difference in history. Only history will judge if he or she has made a difference. In fact, every person makes a difference in history, but some people make a bigger difference than others and some people make a negative difference, which is to say the world would have been better off without them.
What can you do when you can to make a difference?
You can make a difference by volunteering, donating to causes you care about, advocating for change, and being kind to others. Every small action can have a positive impact on the world around you.
What is a personol prayer?
A prayer that you make up asking for anything, spilling your feelings.
What is the meaning of a spontaneus prayer?
As opposed to the liturgy: I make up a prayer by myself on the spot vs. praying a memorized or written prayer. My church does spontaneous prayer.
What does it means in the old expression it takes a world of difference to make a difference in the world?
u need to be really different from others to make a difference in the world... different here meaning a positively different attitude and approach towards life
Did Helen Keller make a difference for others or for herself?
She showed people that blind and deaf people can learn.
How do you make hair silky?
prayer
What do you do when you make a mistake in namaaz?
If you make a mistake in namaaz (prayer), you can rectify it by performing two prostrations of forgetfulness (sujood as-sahw) at the end of your prayer. These prostrations are a way to seek forgiveness and make up for any errors or omissions made during the prayer. After completing the prostrations, your prayer will be considered valid.
