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"…join in helping us by your prayers,
so that many will give thanks on our behalf
for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.”
2 Corinthians 1:11
Time and again members of this congregation express appreciation for prayers offered for them by the worshiping community through life’s difficult times. From Paul many centuries ago, to people of this faith community today, the power of prayer has been witnessed to by overwhelmingly statistically significant numbers.
However, a somewhat different testimony has been put forth from recently completed results of the most scientifically rigorous research study ever undertaken on the power of prayer. Lasting ten years and costing $2.4 million, the experiment involved almost 2,000 cardiac bypass patients who were divided into three groups. The first group knew they were being prayed for; the second group were told they might or might not receive prayer; and the third group did not receive prayer. Overall, intercessory prayer was found to make no difference in the rate of post-operative complications. The study also reported that those patients who knew they were being prayed for actually had an 8% higher occurrence of post-operative complications than those who did not know if they were being prayed for.
Well, what to make of these results? They have certainly produced more hand waving than hand clasping. Since patients in the study were being prayed for by strangers, it has been suggested that prayer given by family and friends may be more efficacious than prayer from strangers. And yet Jesus teaches us that “love your neighbor” includes those whom we do not know. In this latest study those praying were told to include the following specific phrase in their prayers: “for a successful surgery with a quick, healthy recovery and no complications.” Previous studies (and indeed life experience) have shown that the most “successful” prayers are those which are open ended and non-specific.
Is it ever possible to fully measure the outcome of prayer? Prayers are given and answered in many ways.
If people stopped praying, the world would stop turning. I’m not sure how we’d test that experimentally, and I’m not sure I’d want to try. In the meantime, let’s follow Paul’s advice and pray without ceasing! On Sunday, June 18 after worship, we’ll have an opportunity to explore more about the power of prayer. Bring your coffee and join the discussion!
In Faith,
Catriona
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Living the Questions
An exciting new discussion series that explores an "inclusive and reconciling" vision of Christ in our lives.
Join us first and third Wednesday mornings at the book discussion group.
Find more information about the LTQ series and its resources here.
The 2007 Mission
trip
Click to see Catriona's sermons
Most recent:
"God's Positioning
System"
Sun, Jan 20, 2008
"From Purple
to Paradise"
Sun, September 30
"Say What?"
Sun, March 25, 2007
“It’s Not Time for the Resurrection Yet! –or is it?”
Sun, February 18
Contact:
email: catriona at ccamherst.org
telephone: 673-3231 ex 13 |
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