Study on prayer finds odd results

Here’s an imponderable: The largest effort so far to measure the power of distant prayer to heal the sick found it didn’t appear to help – and in one curious respect, prayer was associated with poorer outcomes, researchers said Thursday.

Doctors who followed 1,800 heart bypass patients at six medical centers found that those who knew they were being prayed for suffered higher rates of complications than others who weren’t sure.

Cautioning that they don’t know what, if anything, to make of the finding, some doctors speculated that telling patients on the eve of surgery that people were praying for them might not be a good idea. It could put them under increased pressure to heal, raising their blood pressure.

“Our study design does not allow us to draw firm conclusions,” said Jeffery Dusek, a Harvard University psychologist who directed the study. “Is it random or real? We don’t know, but any significant findings beg for more explanations.”

But for some faithful who regularly pray for people they don’t necessarily know, there is no scientific inquiry that can prove their efforts fruitless.

“This is a very hard thing to measure,” said Sister Patricia Scanlon, one of many Carmelite nuns at a monastery in Towson, Md., who regularly beseech God to heal strangers.

“We pray for complete healing, and sometimes that takes different forms. It could be spiritual healing, or sometimes an attitude, an acceptance, a preparedness, maybe not being physically healed. Many are being prepared for whatever the next stage of that person’s life may be,” she said.

The $2.8 million study, which appears todayin the American Heart Journal, is the latest and most ambitious to examine the thorny question of whether distant prayer is beneficial.

It was funded largely by the John Templeton Foundation, whose philanthropist founder has poured millions into attempts to apply principles of scientific research to the spiritual realm.

“Our study was never intended to address the existence of God or the presence or absence of intelligent design in the universe,” said the Rev. Dean Marek, head chaplain at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and one of the study’s investigators.

“The study did not endeavor, either, to compare the efficacy of one prayer form over another to assess participants’ understanding of the nature or purpose of prayer.”

In the study, doctors randomly assigned patients to three groups. People in one group were told they might or might not be the object of distant prayer, and they were. Another group was told the same thing, but no one was assigned to pray for its members. And the third was promised it would receive prayer, and it did.

The first two groups had nearly the same complication rates of about 50 percent. But the people in the third group – who knew others were praying for them – suffered complications in 59 percent of cases.

Marek of the Mayo Clinic said he doesn’t put much stock in so-called “intercessory prayers,” in which strangers ask God to heal the sick. Better to place the patient’s care in God’s hand, and leave it at that, he said.

“Anything beyond that, and I’m trying to control the outcome of your life, your surgery,” Marek said. “I don’t think that works.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

New Greater Everett Chamber of Commerce CEO CEO Wendy Poischbeg speaks at a kick off event on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Everett Rising’: Wednesday’s chamber luncheon to showcase a new era of growth.

The Greater Everett Chamber of Commerce is beginning its efforts… Continue reading

The Edmonds School District building on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds School District faces estimated $8.5 million deficit

The shortfall is lower than previous years, but the effects are “cumulative,” Superintendent Rebecca Miner said.

Hundreds rally against Trump on Presidents Day in Everett

People lined Broadway with signs and flags, similar to other protests across the country

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Lynnwood councilor Joshua Binda speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Does the Lynnwood Council VP live in Lynnwood? It’s hard to say.

Josh Binda’s residency has been called into question following an eviction and FEC filings listing an Everett address. He insists he lives in Lynnwood.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.