Does Prayer Benefit Us?

Does prayer have any benefits? I recently came across an article in the Huffington Post (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/josh-schrei/the-burden-of-proof-how-a_b_504667.html) that mentioned “numerous studies that demonstrate the neurological benefits of prayer.” Naturally, I sought to determine whether or not it’s the prayer that causes the benefits or if another force is at work.

First off, some background on the history of studies on prayer:

“Determining the efficacy of prayer has been attempted in various studies since Francis Galton first addressed it in 1872. Some studies have demonstrated benefit, some have demonstrated harm, and some have found no benefit from prayer. Others suggest that the topic is outside the realm of science altogether. According to the Washington Post, "...prayer is the most common complement to mainstream medicine, far outpacing acupuncture, herbs, vitamins and other alternative remedies.” (Researchers Look at Prayer and Healing, Washington Post, March 24, 2006)

Immediately we can see a problem with the statement in the Huffington Post, it fails to acknowledge studies that have found no benefit from prayer. It would be helpful if the studies mentioned in the Post article were referenced so they could be examined. Alas, this is not the case and we are forced to take the author at his word. Needless to say, this is not proof of the effectiveness of prayer, especially after the negative studies are factored in.

The following is information regarding positive results from prayer:

“A study published in 2008 used Eysenck's dimensional model of personality based on neuroticism and psychoticism to assess the mental health of high school students based on their self-reported frequency of prayer. For students both in Catholic and Protestant schools, higher levels of prayer were associated with better mental health as measured by lower psychoticism scores. However, among pupils attending Catholic schools, higher levels of prayer were also associated with higher neuroticism scores” (Leslie J. Francis et al. Prayer and psychological health in "Mental Health, Religion & Culture, Volume 11, Issue 1 January 2008").

“Many accept that prayer can aid in recovery, not due to divine influence but due to psychological and physical benefits. It has also been suggested that if a person knows that he or she is being prayed for it can be uplifting and increase morale, thus aiding recovery. (See Subject-expectancy effect.) Many studies have suggested that prayer can reduce physical stress, regardless of the god or gods a person prays to, and this may be true for many worldly reasons. According to a study by Centra State Hospital, "the psychological benefits of prayer may help reduce stress and anxiety, promote a more positive outlook, and strengthen the will to live” (Mind and Spirit. from the Health Library section of CentraState Healthcare System. Accessed May 18, 2006.).

“One condition that may affect the efficacy of intercessory prayer is whether the person praying has a connection to the person prayed for. A 2005 study published by The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine alleges evidence that healers in a variety of modalities were able to remotely influence the MRI-measurable brain activity in partners who were physically and electrically isolated, though little effort has been made to corroborate this study's conclusions” (Achterberg J, Cooke K, Richards T, Standish LJ, Kozak L, Lake J (December 2005). "Evidence for correlations between distant intentionality and brain function in recipients: a functional magnetic resonance imaging analysis". J Altern Complement Med 11 (6): 965–71. doi:10.1089/acm.2005.11.965. PMID 16398587.).

The trend that should be obvious from these studies, considering that it is mentioned, is the common factor of positive thinking. Would it then be incorrect to assume that positive thoughts, and not the prayer itself, are what cause the benefits? We also need to consider studies that show the ineffectiveness of prayer.
“Some studies of prayer effectiveness have yielded null results” (O'Laoire S (November 1997). "An experimental study of the effects of distant, intercessory prayer on self-esteem, anxiety, and depression". Altern Ther Health Med 3 (6): 38–53. PMID 9375429.)

“A 2001 double-blind study of the Mayo Clinic found no significant difference in the recovery rates between people who were (unbeknownst to them) assigned to a group that prayed for them and those who were not” (Aviles JM, Whelan SE, Hernke DA, et al. (December 2001). "Intercessory prayer and cardiovascular disease progression in a coronary care unit population: a randomized controlled trial". Mayo Clin. Proc. 76 (12): 1192–8. doi:10.4065/76.12.1192. PMID 11761499.).

Notice the difference between the people in the Mayo Clinic study and the other studies. In the other studies, people knew they were being prayed for. It is not so much the prayer that is effective but the knowledge that someone is praying for you (i.e. thinking of you).

We must be mindful of these multiple possibilities. It did not take a lot of digging to see the link between prayer and positive thoughts. When we factor in positive thoughts it becomes clear that it is not the prayer that is the source of benefits.