The efficacy of prayer is about the outcome of the prayer request. This topic has been discussed in various fields such as theology, philosophy, history, medicine, and psychology. Many religious traditions have a complex understanding of the nature, function, and expectation of prayer. For example, in the Jewish and Christian traditions there are various interpretations of prayer as a demand for miraculous results as well as the demand for relatively worldly results. Some religious communities question whether the efficacy of prayer can be measured reliably or meaningfully because sacred texts such as the Bible have various situations and teachings such as declaring that God will not be forced (Deuteronomy 6:16 - "You will not put your Lord God for an examination") , some prayers for healing have been rejected by God before (2 Corinthians 12: 7-9 - Paul's Apostle Thorn in the flesh), or special conditions must be fulfilled before prayer can be heard (having guidance by the Holy Spirit). In Christianity, there is an emphasis on the need for guidance from the Holy Spirit on what needs to be prayed for and has taught that "God can not be imposed."
Philosophically, there is controversy over this topic that involves basic issues such as statistical inference and falsifiability as to what it means to "prove" or "disprove" something, and the problem of demarcation, that is, whether the topic is even in the realm of science at all.
The efficacy of prayer has been the subject of numerous scientific studies since Francis Galton first addressed it in 1872. In the last few decades, the study of prayer has become famous in medicine. According to Washington Post , "... prayer is the most common complement to mainstream medicine, far beyond acupuncture, herbs, vitamins and other alternative treatments." Recent medical research on prayer generally shows mixed results in terms of recovery from illness. The largest study, from the STEP 2006 project, found no significant difference in patients recovering from cardiac surgery, whether patients were asked or not. Patients who know that they are receiving prayer do experience a slightly higher complication of recovery, possibly because of coincidence and anxiety or pressure caused by the hope of prayer. However, one study author emphasized that the study did not say anything about the power of prayer itself. Fred Rosner, a Jewish medical ethicist, and others expressed doubt that prayer could be the subject of empirical analysis.
Some studies of subjective wellbeing and the personal effects of prayer have shown a positive effect on individuals who pray.
Compared to other areas that have been studied scientifically, the study of carefully monitored prayers is relatively small. The fields remain small, with about $ 5 million spent worldwide on such research every year. Despite all this, the number of courses on prayer and medication has increased in the medical curriculum.
Video Efficacy of prayer
Study of the effectiveness of prayer
Numerous studies have been conducted to measure the impact of prayer scientifically, often in a medical setting. The studies have used different structural methods and measured both hard data (such as variations in blood pressure) and soft data such as anxiety levels and number of physician visits. They have measured the first person effect (where heirs perform the prayer), second person effect (where someone with a personal connection to the heirs performs the prayer), and third party effects where a group of unknown people pray for heirs.
What can be measured?
Nearly all second and third studies focus on intercession or a direct petition to God , while a first-person study measures meditative prayer . as well. In general, the result requested for prayer as a petition can be an event in the physical world, e.g. one's recovery from illness, or events in the spiritual world, for example, the rest of the soul through prayer for the dead. Of course there are certain types of prayers whose effectiveness can not (by definition) be measured in the physical world, for example the Roman Catholic tradition includes prayer and specific devotion as a reparation act that does not involve a petition for the beneficiaries of life or death , but it aims to fix the sins of others , for example, for the repair of blasphemy sins.
Study parameters
In many cases, the parameters measured in the medical studies cited here do not include them from a scientific or religious standpoint. Mental attributes such as honor, emphasized by religious figures such as the pope and saint, have not been measured. The study also did not measure whether meditation before prayer affected the outcome.
The studies cited here also generally do not measure physical parameters, such as "closeness to the nearest public place of worship", for example, does prayer by Christians in the church have more influence than outside the church? Does it vary by church size? Will the effect increase or decrease if Christians pray in Buddhist temples? What about the Buddhist prayer in the church? Does prayer over Christmas have more or less effects than at other times of the year? And the distance between the heirs and the location of the prayer has not been clarified in research, for example, is the prayer for someone who is a distant continent having the same effect as a prayer for someone just a few inches away? Does the "skill level" of the one who is praying have an effect on the outcomes as determined by Wisneski and Anderson in their book The Scientific Basis of Integrative Medicine ?
Wisneski and Anderson also hypothesize that different individuals have varying degrees of "prayer intelligence", just as different people have varying levels of athletic ability, and that the effect of prayer is the combined effect of ability and training. Pope John Paul II echoed that sentiment when he said: "We must learn to pray: for learning this art again..." And he opposes "mechanical prayer" and emphasizes the need for self-reflection before prayer. The intimacy of people who pray with words and methods of prayer, and their level of disturbance before they start praying is not measured as a parameter in some studies.
The tribute that the prayer was read was emphasized by other religious writers, such as St. Louis de Montfort in his book Secret of the Rosary . In section 41, he emphasizes "purity of intent" and states that it is not an important prayer length, but the spirit, purity, and honor he says, for example, one word Hail Mary says deserves much to say. Part 42 and 43 of Montfort's books are devoted to "Attention" and "Fighting Harassment".
Maps Efficacy of prayer
Lesson classes
First person research
An example of research on meditative prayer was the Bernardi study at the British Medical Journal in 2001. It reported that by praying the rosary or pronouncing the yoga spells at some level, the baroreflex sensitivity increased significantly at cardiovascular patients.
A study published in 2008 used Eysenck's personality dimension model based on neuroticism and psychotics to assess the mental health of high school students based on self-reported prayer frequency. For students in Catholic and Protestant schools, a higher level of prayer is associated with better mental health as measured by lower psychotic scores. However, among students attending Catholic schools, a higher level of prayer is also associated with higher neuroticism scores.
Many accept that prayer can aid recovery due to psychological and physical benefits. It has also been suggested that if a person knows that he or she is being prayed for it can be uplifting and improve morale, thus helping to recover. (See the effects of Hope-Subject.) Many studies have suggested that prayer can reduce physical stress, regardless of the god or god being prayed by a person, and this may be true for various reasons. According to a study by Centra State Hospital, "the psychological benefits of prayer can help reduce stress and anxiety, promote a more positive outlook, and strengthen the will to live." Other practices such as Yoga, T'ai chi, and Meditation can also have a positive impact on physical and psychological health.
A 2001 study by Meisenhelder and Chandler analyzed data obtained from 1,421 Presbyterian pastors surveyed by mail and found that the frequency of their self-reported prayer correlates well with their self-perception of health and vitality. The methodology of this study has an inherent problem with independent selection, selection bias, and assimilation of residues, and the authors acknowledge that the direction of felt prayer and health relations "remains inconclusive because of the limits of correlational research design".
A 2008 study by Bhutkar, et al. considered only 78 subjects, but concluded that the usual practice of Surya Namaskar had a positive impact on cardio-respiratory cardiovascular health.
Second Person Research
One condition that can affect the effectiveness of intercessory prayer is whether the person who is praying has a relationship with the person being prayed for. A 2005 study published by The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine accuses evidence that eleven healers in various "remote intentionalities" (defined as "transmit thinking at a distance") modalities are able to influence remotely. can be measured MRI on selected pairs that are physically and electrically isolated. As the authors explain, "this study is not about healing per se, but is there some correlation in intent to connect at a distance with someone." Trials have not been reproduced by the author or by others.
Third party studies
Victoria Scientist Francis Galton made the first statistical analysis of a third-party prayer. He hypothesized, in part as an allusion, that if prayer was effective, members of the British Royal Family would live longer than average, given that thousands of people prayed for their welfare every Sunday, and he prayed over a random ground plot to see if the plants would grew faster, and found no correlation in either case.
The amount of formal research conducted on intercessory prayer is quite small, with about $ 5 million spent worldwide on the research each year. The parameters used in the study design vary, for example, daily or weekly prayer, whether to provide patient pictures, with full or partial names, measure the level of confidence in prayer, and whether the patient has surgery.
Third-party studies report zero outcomes, correlated results, or conflicting results in which recipients have worsened health outcomes. For example, the meta-analysis of several distant remote-healing studies published in Annals of Internal Medicine in 2000 observed 2774 patients in 23 studies, and found that 13 studies showed positive results that statistically significant, 9 studies showed no effect, and 1 study showed negative results.
The level of evidence review in 2003 found evidence for the hypothesis that "it is promised to promote physical recovery from acute illness". This concludes that although "a number of studies" have tested this hypothesis, "only three have enough strength to look at here" (Byrd 1988, Harris et al., 1999, and Sicher et al., 1998). In all three, "the strongest findings are for the most subjective evaluated variables, raising concerns about the uncommon probability of unconscious assessment of the results.Another meta-studies of the wider literature have been conducted to show evidence only for no effect or For example, a meta-analysis of 14 studies in 2006 concluded that "there were no distinguishable effects" while the 2007 systemic review of intercessory prayer reported inconclusive results, noting that 7 out of 17 studies had "small but significant effect sizes. "But the review notes that the three most meticulously methodological studies fail to produce significant findings.
Secondary, interpersonal effects
Regardless of whether prayer affects other beneficiaries, research shows that prayer has benefits for people performing prayers, for example in May 2011 a study was conducted that suggested a "significant, specific indirect effect" between prayer and meditation expectations, adult attachment, and forgiveness. Research also shows that prayer has a direct relationship with the overall gratitude in life. Prayer can also help those who deal with alcoholism, e.g. a 2010 study showed that there was a strong correlation between prayer and reduction in alcohol consumption. Those who actively pray for a week report half as much as drinking alcohol.
A growing field of research in religious psychology has been a relational implication of prayer, for example a study in 2011 conducted by Lambert et al. stated that when compared to a control group who had positive interactions with other important people, those in prayer conditions reported a feeling of greater unity and trust toward other people. Research also shows that there is an increased feeling of marriage enrichment through prayer. A study conducted in 2010 also shows a correlation between prayer in relationships and reduction of infidelity. As with other areas of research on prayer, some argue whether these effects are the result of prayer or "placebo effect." However, Dr. Herbert Benson, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, points out that they may not be mutually exclusive.
Confidence and skepticism
Medical view
Medical skepticism
An article in the Medical Journal of Australia says that "One common criticism of prayer research is that prayer has become a popular method of therapy with unknown mechanisms."
Medical experts are skeptical of new claims based on research until they are experimentally reproduced and reinforced. For example, a 2001 study by researchers associated with Columbia University has been linked to controversy, following successful claims in popular media.
Medical expectations
At the beginning of the 20th century, Florence Nightingale, the pioneer of modern nursing, is a person who believes in the effect of prayer. He writes, "Often when people appear unconscious, a word of prayer reaches them".
Today, although different medical research has been in conflict with each other, doctors do not stop learning or recommend prayers. This may be partly because prayer is increasingly being used as a coping mechanism for patients. According to Larry Dossey MD: "In 1993, only three US medical schools had courses aimed at exploring the role of religious practice and prayer in health, today, nearly 80 medical schools have implemented such courses", despite many factors other than the efficacy of prayer be involved in such courses.
Different approach to drug
In addition to traditional medicine, alternative approaches based on prayer have been proposed. Prayer is increasingly being used in approaches to healing.
Skepticism in the sphere of prayer
In a debate/interview in Newsweek with evangelical Christians Rick Warren, atheist Sam Harris commented that most of the lay perceptions about the efficacy of prayer (a personal impression contrary to empirical studies) are related to sampling errors because "we know that humans have a terrible meaning of probability." That is, humans are more likely to recognize the confirmation of their beliefs than they are to recognize disconfirmation.
Harris also criticized existing empirical studies for limiting oneself to prayers for relatively unreasonable events, such as recovery from heart surgery. He suggests a simple experiment to solve this problem:
Get a billion Christians to pray for one amputated person. Ask them to pray for God to regenerate the lost limbs. This happens to the salamander every day, perhaps without prayer; this is in God's capacity. I find it interesting that believers only tend to pray for self-limiting conditions.
In Christianity, Harris's comment on what he calls the self-limiting nature of prayer has been discussed many years earlier by many authors. For example, in the nineteenth century, William Peabody discusses the effectiveness of prayer in the face of what he calls "the eternal laws of nature." He says:
Night follows day, and day and night. The seasons defend their succession... We may not expect to delay their operations with our prayers... But despite all this, we hold the undoubted faith of the doctrine of the effectiveness of our prayers, or to use other languages , "from influence from above as diversified and endless as demand from below".
Peabody then argued at length that prayer may have efficacy in a form that does not interfere with the arrangement of natural laws, and that God can respond in unanticipated ways, without changing the natural setting. George Burnap echoed the same concept when he wrote:
God rules the universe with a fixed and uniform law, not just for the sake of order, but for the good of man... The fulfillment of every human desire will break this order, and bring it all into a mess and confusion.
Prayers and miracles
The view expressed by Harris above relates to the "relatively unfair" petitions used in prayers have been discussed in religious circles in the context of miraculous results for prayer. There is a difference in theological classification of miracles, one of the most common being three categories: " beyond nature " (Latin supra naturam ), " against nature i> "(Latin contra naturam ) and" with nature "(Latin praeter naturam ).
The appointment of the dead is regarded as a "supra-naturam" event and is not reported in theological writings outside the Christian Bible, where ten events of the resurrection are recorded. Contra naturam event requires significant changes to the "world order" (eg regrowth of limbs) and is also almost never reported. Praeter naturam can continue according to the laws of nature. They have been reported in a number of cases, and have experienced a large number of debates. Examples include miraculous healing claims on pilgrimage sites like Our Lady of Lourdes. Many of these claims have been analyzed and few have been accepted by the Lourdes Medical Bureau.
Massive prayer
Scientific measurement of the effectiveness of large-scale prayer requires coordination of the activities of a large number of people, and no direct quotation for the existence of such studies appears in scientific literature. However, non-scientific instruction for great prayer has been issued in the past, and the conclusions about the effect of prayer have been drawn by a large number of believers, beyond the scientific framework.
In the historical context, in 1571 Pope Pius V called for all Europeans to pray the Rosary for victory at the Battle of Lepanto, where Christian fighters belong to the Papal States. The cup of battle is now enshrined in various Christian churches that link victory with great prayers.
Directions for bigger and longer-term prayers are provided by messages from Our Lady Fatima reported by Lucia Santos, which states that the Virgin Mary specifically asks believers to pray for the conversion of Russia. The 9-day prayer of Fatima Novena includes a petition for Russian conversion. With the blessings of Pope Pius XII (who calls himself "world leader against communism") millions of members of the Blue Army of Our Lady of Fatima were instructed to pray for several years in publications such as Mental Magazine. Some Christians linked the fall of communism in the 1989 Revolution with major prayers, while economists linked them with market forces and socioeconomic conditions.
Religious and philosophical issues
Religious and philosophical objections to the study of the effectiveness of prayer exist. Many interpreted Deuteronomy (6:16 "You will not put the Lord your God for an examination") to mean that prayer can not, or should not, be examined.
The religious point of view objected to the claim that prayer is susceptible to experimental design or statistical analysis, and other assumptions in many experiments, for example that a thousand prayers are statistically different from one. Objections also include complaints that religion generally deals with unrestrained unique events; statistics, and science in general, deal with recurrent phenomena that are likely to be sampled or controlled and vulnerable to common law.
Religious objections also include a complaint that when prayer begins to be measured, it is no longer true prayer after engaging in experimentation and that the concept of doing prayer experiments reflects a misunderstanding of the purpose of prayer. The 2006 STEP trial showed that some intercessors who participated in it complained about the nature of the text of the prayers imposed upon them, saying that this was not the way they usually do prayers:
Prior to the commencement of this study, intercessors reported that they typically receive information about the age of the patient, gender and progress report on their medical condition; communicate with family members or patients (not by fax from a third party); using individual prayers of their own choosing; and pray for variable time periods based on patient or family requests.
In connection with the expectation of a response to prayer, the 18th-century philosopher William Paley wrote:
To pray for a certain good is to dictate to the Divine Wisdom, and the adequacy of the supposition; and intercede for another individual or for the nations, is to assume that their happiness depends on our choice, and that the prosperity of society depends on our interests.
During the 20th century, the philosopher Bertrand Russell believed that religion and science "have long been at war, claiming for themselves the same territory, ideas and loyalty". And Russell believes that war has been convincingly won by science. Nearly 40 years earlier, a 22-year-old Russell also wrote: "Because even though I have long ceased to believe in the efficacy of prayer, I am so lonely and desperately in need of supporters like the Christian God, that I take to say more prayers when I no longer believe in its efficacy. "
The 21st century evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins describes how Richard Swinburne describes the negative results of the STEP experiment "on the grounds that God answers prayer only if they are offered for good reason", saying that some elements of religion can be tested.
Other theologians join NAME-inspired skeptics in arguing that studying prayer in this way is a waste of money because supernatural influences are based on definitions beyond the reach of science. But, as the Templeton Foundation acknowledged when funding the study, the power of intercession is at least in principle within the scope of science. A double-blind experiment can be done and done. It can produce positive results. And if so, can you imagine that a religious religious leader would fire him on the grounds that scientific research has nothing to do with religious matters? Of course not.
Holy Spirit and Christianity
Some Christian writers have long held that the power of prayer involves the action of the Holy Spirit, for example referring to the Gospel of Luke 6:13,
John Tillotson, Archbishop of the 17th century argued that the efficacy of prayer depended on the Holy Spirit. The Reformed Presbyterian scholar Wayne R. Spear argues that the person who prays must be "guided by the Holy Spirit" as to what is to be prayed for and who is given the "true petition" then the Holy Spirit will intercede for prayer.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that:
- "Someone goes into prayer by a narrow gates of faith - it is the face of God we seek and desire - it is His Word that we want to hear and defend" "Once committed to repentance, heart is learning to pray in faith Faith is obedience to God beyond what we feel and understand.It may be because the Son gives us access to the Father He can ask us to 'seek' and 'knock' because he himself is the door and the way.
Christian existentialist philosopher and theologian Paul Tillich argues that prayer is not possible in the dichotomies of subjects in which the person is separated from God, for God can not be the object of prayer without at the same time the subject.
See also
- Research on meditation
- The study of intercession
- Faith healing
- Intercession
References
External links
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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