A 1988 study by Dr. Randolph Byrd found coronary care patients were 11 percent more likely to recover when they had received the prayers of others. A 2006 study led by Dr. Herbert Benson suggested there was no improvement for patients at all. A more recent study (September 2010) by Candy Gunther Brown at Indiana University reported significantly positive results for hearing and vision-impaired Mozambicans after they had received intercessory prayer.
I find such studies interesting, but—in my eyes—many of them have deep methodological problems. Some studies have used multi-faith pray-ers, so which “God” is being prayed to? Most have looked for a direct cause-and-effect result, so where does God’s will come into the equation? Frankly, I really don’t think God appreciates being part of lab experiments.
Jesus raises another concern about empirical approaches to the miraculous. Some Pharisees once demanded that Jesus perform a miracle to prove who He was. Actually, he’d already healed a demon-possessed girl (Mark 7:24-30) and a deaf man (Mark 7:31-37), and He had just miraculously fed 4,000 people (Mark 8:1-10) and 5,000 before that (Mark 6:30-44)—miracles the Pharisees had either seen or heard about. But these were not good enough. Jesus sighed deeply and declined their request (Mark 8:12).
He refused to perform miracles on demand. He wouldn’t give signs to those He knew still wouldn’t believe. Jesus wouldn’t do wonders for closed or merely inquisitive minds. His miraculous acts were done out of compassion (Mark 8:2) to the desperate (Mark 7:26), the believing (Mark 5:27-28), and even the doubtful (Mark 9:24-27), but never for the merely curious.
Prayer works! But it’s all about praying to the one true God in submission to His sovereign will.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: John 8:1-20
More:
Contrast the Pharisees’ attitude with that of the doubting dad in Mark 9:14-27. Why did Jesus respond positively to the father’s request for a miracle?
Next:
Some prayer studies focus on the human act of prayer rather than the deity being prayed to. Why is this wrong?
jimgroberts on July 29, 2011 at 8:22 am
I think there is a general misunderstanding of what prayer is. When Jesus taught prayer He started with “Our Father”. You have to know personally who you are speaking to and to reverence Him. it is not only about requests but when we request begin with “your will be done, your kingdom come” All to often our interest is in our own needs or the needs of others. He is looking for those that are looking to fulfill His desires and needs. In Isaiah 6 He asks “Who will go, who can I send” can we have the response of Isaiah and also say “I will go, send me”. Ultimately prayer is seeking to speak with your father who is King of kings and to know Him and find out what His will is for us with heart that is ready to whatever is asked with the assurance that he will provide. Without faith – without hope – without love in Him this is impossible.
cricket41 on July 29, 2011 at 10:17 am
thank you Jimgroberts! you took words right out of my mouth!!! Luke 11:1. I was always praying for God to get me out of this mess, or bless me with what I wanted,or what to do for others, always telling God what to do,I finally came to believe that God already knows how to take care of it all,and I need to ask for His will to be done on a daily basis, and to forgive. I do not know it all, and it’s a constant learning experience whether it be good or bad. I still don’t have the answers on what God’s will is for me, so I just do what is put before me and try to do the best I can daily. I know in my heart that God is for real and God is in control of it all anyway.
sheridan voysey on July 30, 2011 at 5:23 am
Great thoughts guys. The heart of prayer is a *relationship* with the Father, not just a mechanical ‘order and receive’ service from a teller machine.
We are encouraged to pray for specific needs and the needs of others – ie James 5:14, 1 Tim 2:1, Col 4:3-4, Eph 6:19,20… the list could go on. But the overriding concern of prayer is to know God. When that core is missing we’ve started on the wrong footing altogether.
GChoo on July 30, 2011 at 10:42 am
Thank you for the devotion. It is so true and inspiring.
I have just been back from a week’s Clan Gathering (conference) in St. Andrews, Scotland held every year. We have been very spiritually blessed and inspired by the many speakers who were there.
One of them is Heidi Baker, who shared with us her many miraculous happenings that God had done and is still doing in her ministry in Mozambique. We can see and feel the love and intimacy she has with the Lord Jesus. I remember one of the many things she shared that struck me is ‘When you are truly, truly in love with Jesus and have that special intimacy with Him, you will know and follow the heart of Jesus.’ Aren’t we like that when we love someone so deeply that we would want to spend time doing the things the person likes? I believe when we pray for a deeper relationship with Jesus and submit to His will, we will surely see the love of God working in our lives and miracles happening in God’s time. Actually miracles are happening all over the world when we care to be involved.
Another speaker from Scotland actually challenged us with this question ‘Are we willing to give up what society dictates the life we should live; big house in the right place, nice car and a good education, to follow Jesus’ plan for us? No pointing the finger at others as excuses, like our spouse or children etc. Are we willing to live by faith and just go when we are called??
I believe God gives us the power and the authority in the name of Jesus to heal others when we pray for people. Praise God for His Love for us even when we have little faith. God bless.
sheridan voysey on July 31, 2011 at 9:34 am
What an inspiring story GChoo! I have heard about the Baker’s work. God indeed does amazing things.
winn collier on July 31, 2011 at 8:16 am
But wait, Sheridan, are you telling me I can’t put God in a laboratory and prove God’s every action??? Are you saying I have to have faith??
Sheesh, such a killjoy!
: )
Great words, thanks.
sheridan voysey on July 31, 2011 at 9:35 am
I’m afraid so, Winn. In a secular, rationalist age I guess I’m the bearer of ‘bad’ news. 🙂