Prayer and Scientific Research

August 5, 2005

• Pierce J. Howard, Ph.D. is director of research of the Center for Applied Cognitive Studies (CentACS), a research and dissemination firm headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.  In addition to his writing, research, and dissemination responsibilities, Dr. Howard serves as Adjunct Professor of Business and Psychology at Pfeiffer University-Charlotte and at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.  His professional affiliations include membership in the American Psychological Association, the International Society for the Study of Individual Differences, the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD), and the Organization Development Network ( TOMTB : 20-21). 

• Dr. Howard wrote the following regarding scientific research and prayer:

"Topic 36.4 The Efficacy of Prayer

In 1988, physician and author Larry Dossey read about a ten-month-long computer-assisted review of 393 cardiology patients, half of whom were prayed for by home prayer groups and half of whom were not prayed for.  It turned out that the prayed-for group was five times less likely to require antibiotics and three times less likely to develop fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema).  As a result of reading about this study, Dossey engaged in a five-year exploration of more than 130 scientific studies that resulted in the book Healing Words (1996).  His conclusion: praying for someone's health makes a positive impact on that person's recovery in a significant number of the cases.  Although skeptics abound, some impressive results have been reported, including one study in which ten people focused their prayers on retarding the growth of a laboratory fungus while they were fifteen miles from the cultures.  Over 70 percent of the cultures showed retarded growth, with the same results occurring sixteen times out of sixteen. (No mention was made of a control group.)  

Application

Why not cover your bases and offer prayer for those who might benefit from it.  Although I am not a prayerful person myself, I do have a strong belief in the power of positive personal regard.  When my wife or friend is making a presentation, I focus my positive attention on that person in a supportive manner.  It can't hurt, and it seems to be well taken" ( TOMTB: 741-742).