Religious and philosophical issues Efficacy of prayer

praying madonna of rosary, caravaggio, 1606-1607

religious , philosophical objections study of prayer s efficacy exist. many interpret deuteronomy (6:16 shall not put lord god test ) mean prayer cannot, or should not, examined.

the religious viewpoint objects claim prayer susceptible experimental designs or statistical analysis, , other assumptions in many experiments, e.g. thousand prayers statistically different one. objections include complaint religion deals unique, uncontrollable events; statistics, , science in general, deal recurring phenomena possible sample or control , susceptible general laws.

religious objections include complaint prayer starts measured, no longer real prayer once gets involved in experiment , concept of conducting prayer experiments reflects misunderstanding of purpose of prayer. 2006 step experiment indicated of intercessors took part in complained scripted nature of prayers imposed them, saying not way conduct prayer:

prior start of study, intercessors reported receive information patient s age, gender , progress reports on medical condition; converse family members or patient (not fax third party); use individualized prayers of own choosing; , pray variable time period based on patient or family request.

with respect expectation of response prayer, 18th-century philosopher william paley wrote:

to pray particular favors dictate divine wisdom, , savors of presumption; , intercede other individuals or nations, presume happiness depends upon our choice, , prosperity of communities hangs upon our interest.

during 20th-century, philosopher bertrand russell believed religion , science have long been @ war, claiming same territory, ideas , allegiances . , russell believed war had been decisively won science. 40 years earlier, 22-year-old russell wrote: although had long ceased believe in efficacy of prayer, lonely , in need of supporter such christian god, took saying prayers again when ceased believe in efficacy.

the 21st-century evolutionary biologist richard dawkins, describing how richard swinburne explained away step experiment s negative results on grounds god answers prayers if offered reasons , says elements of religion testable.

other theologians joined noma-inspired sceptics in contending studying prayer in way waste of money because supernatural influences definition beyond reach of science. templeton foundation correctly recognized when financed study, alleged power of intercessory prayer @ least in principle within reach of science. double-blind experiment can done , done. have yielded positive result. , if had, can imagine single religious apologist have dismissed on grounds scientific research has no bearing on religious matters? of course not.

the holy spirit , christian teaching

some christian authors have contended long efficacy of prayer involves action of holy spirit, e.g. referring gospel of luke 6:13,

john tillotson, 17th-century archbishop of canterbury argued efficacy of prayer depends on holy spirit. reformed presbyterian scholar wayne r. spear argues person praying needs guided holy spirit needs prayed , given right petition holy spirit intercede prayer.

the catechism of catholic church states that:

christian prayer covenant relationship between god , man in christ. action of god , of man, springing forth both holy spirit , ourselves, wholly directed father, in union human of son of god made man. holy spirit teaches church , recalls jesus said instructs in life of prayer, inspiring new expressions of prayer: blessing, petition, intercession, thanksgiving , praise. christian prayer communion of love father, not through christ in him . father gives when our prayer united of jesus counselor, [us] ever , spirit of truth. [holy] spirit helps in our weakness; not know how pray ought, spirit himself intercedes sighs deep words.


1 enters prayer narrow gate of faith. face of lord seek , desire; word want hear , keep once committed conversion, heart learns pray in faith. faith filial adherence god beyond feel , understand. possible because son gives access father. can ask seek , knock , since himself door , way.

christian existentialist philosopher , theologian paul tillich argued prayer not possible in subject-object dichotomy in person separated god, god cannot object of prayer without being @ same time subject.