Chamblee54

It is possible that prayer can, at the least, have psychological benefits. There are numerous stories about the power of prayer to heal the sick. A study was recently done. It that indicates prayer might not be that great after all.
In the study, patients receiving bypass surgery were divided into three groups. One group was prayed for, after being told they may or may not be prayed for. The second group was not prayed for, after being told they may or may not be prayed for. The third group was prayed for, after being told they would be prayed for.
After the procedure, 52% patients in the first group suffered complications from the surgery, while 51% of the patients in the second group suffered complications. In the third group, 59% of the patients, who were told they would be prayed for, suffered complications.
What does this prove? Nothing. The quality of the surgical work, and the work of the recovery team, and the condition of the patient prior to the surgery would obviously have an impact. Also, the quality of a prayer offered as part of a secular experiment might differ from that of prayer offered freely by a loving congregation.
There is a difference between prove and indicate. The study indicates what it says it does. It proves nothing. A look at the methodology shows possible flaws in the study. Without a look at the raw data, it is also hard to tell if the statistics were tweaked. (As if PG  could tell the difference.)
HT to Andrew Sullivan for the above story. The second part of this feature is a repost.

Prayer is not always a good idea.
That is up there with G-d and Motherhood, but somebody has to say it.
Many of my objections are in the phrase, ” Prayer is talking to G-d, and Meditation is Listening.”.
In our culture, we love to talk and don’t have time to listen. Talking is yang, active, power. Listening is ying,receptive, passive, and indicates respect for the person you are paying attention to. This is difficult for many.
Of course, no one ever says ” I am going to meditate for you”. Although maybe you should.
Prayer is used as an aggressive weapon. “I am going to pray for you” is the condescending conclusion of many a religious argument. I have had it shouted at me like a curse.
There is the matter of prayer as entertainment. While this may be cool to those who are on the program, it can be repulsive to others. Once I volunteered to lead the prayer before a dinner. Here is the story, with some more cool pictures.
Now, prayer is not a completely bad thing. One of the cherished memories of my father is the brief, commonsense blessings he would give before meals. In the context of a church service, prayer plays a useful function. Some famous prayers are beautiful poetry. In Islam, the daily prayers are an important part of the observance. Who am I to say it is wrong? ( A note to the Muslim haters…We are all G-d’s children)
When someone is in a bad way, people want to think they can help. Arguably it does not hurt to pray for someone, but it is nothing to boast about.
My problem is when people are proud of their prayers. There are few as prideful as a “humble servant”. While it may mean something to you, not everyone is impressed. And in a religion obsessed with converting others, you should care what man thinks. .