Outcomes of intercessory prayer for those who are ill: Scientific and pastoral perspectives

Intercessory prayer for those who are ill is a common religious practice not only by individuals but also by communities of faith. Although such prayer has much religious meaning, is there scientific evidence that it brings about the outcomes for which it asks? The scientific literature investigating the efficacy of intercessory prayer for the ill and the difficulties in putting prayer to scientific scrutiny is explored in this article. Overall, studies have yielded mixed results and have been criticized (on a scientific basis) as having methodological flaws such as small sample size, varied endpoints, varied definitions of prayer, and varied expertise of "intercessors." Such studies have also been critiqued on metaphysical and religious grounds, namely, that God's actions cannot (and should not be) subjected to scientific scrutiny. It is asserted by some, that men possess the faculty of obtaining results over which they have little or no direct personal control, by means of devout and earnest prayer, while others doubt the truth of this assertion. The question regards a matter of fact, that has to be determined by observation and not by authority, and it is one that appears to be a very suitable topic for statistical inquiry.... Are prayers answered or are they not...? Do sick persons who pray or are prayed for, recover on the average more rapidly than others?