World Issues : A Commentary by Dr. Stevens

Topic : Addressing the results of a recent scientific study of intercessory prayer and complications following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG).

Stats : Cost of the study : 2.4 million dollars. Research led by Herbert Benson,MD and Jeffrey Dusek,PhD and associates. 1802 patients from 6 medical centers, divided into 3 groups: 604 received intercessory prayer after being informed they may or may not receive it, 597 did not receive intercessory prayer after being informed they may or may not receive it,  and 601 received intercessory prayer after being informed they would receive it. Intercessory prayer was provided for 14 days starting the night before surgery.

Conclusion : Intercessory prayer showed no effect on complication-free recovery from CABG surgery and in all 3 groups there was a 51-59% incidence of complications.

 Dr. Stevens responds: It was stated that the study was to prove the certainty or uncertainty of intercessory prayer, but the results left many with questions about possible flaws in the study, and for others, a cloud of doubt was cast over the effectiveness of intercessory prayer. Yet many with experience to the contrary have come forward with a strong voice to set the record straight.

       There have been many studies preceeding this one that have confirmed the relevance and effectiveness of intercessory prayer in health and healing. Some of the cast of researchers in this particular study have been involved in other trials that have shown evidence to the contrary. Herbert Benson, MD in his book, Timeless Healing, cites the positive results of other studies on the topic of prayer, and personally avoids committing one way or the other in this study, in spite of the evidence he presents. Larry Dossey MD, has written persuasive books on the subject as well.

       As the creator and director of Silent Advocates, a national healing prayer ministry, I know I speak for many thousands across the nation and around the world who can personally attest to the power of intercessory prayer.

        Christ-centered prayer is so much more than just uttering a few words to persuade God to do our will. True prayer is not an incantation or a chant or mantra to evoke human power to change the destiny of any one soul. Our will may not be done. Prayer, in its purest form, is surrender to God's will and the outcome decided by our maker.

         Our part in the prayer process is to well-up inside ourselves the sincere desire to send loving intentions to those we are praying for, to be a channel of blessing that God may work through. It is love that heals, not prayer, for God is love. The Lord makes it clear that "whatsoever ye ask for in prayer, believing, you will receive". All that has ever manifested in a three dimensional world was, in the beginning, just a belief. Most of us tend to overlook the "believing" part and wait for God to serve us. Prayer is most effective when we are willing to believe in what we are asking for; to own it, to buy into it, with a willingness to be accountable and responsible for it, to join God in co-creating it. Perhaps they should have tested the sincerely held beliefs of those in the test study. Perhaps, they were just going through the motions and did not fully believe in what they were asking for. In any event, beliefs are hard to test using scientific methods, as we are a society measured by behavior. 

        As Christians, we are united by the promises of Jesus Christ - that He WILL hear and answer our sincere prayers. Healing, whether in ourselves or others, requires, as He instructed, that we believe in what we are praying for. Little was mentioned about the participants who did the praying in this study, and I wonder if those in the test group understood, or were properly instructed in, the universal principles of effective healing prayer.

© 2006