SCIENTIFIC TEST DEMONSTRATES POWER OF PRAYER

The power of prayer has long been recognized by people who have a strong religious foundation. Prayer can move mountains and change lives. But a new study has attempted to quantify the impact of prayer on heart patients.

Researchers at the Mid-America Heart Institute studied 990 patients admitted over a year's time to its coronary care unit in Kansas City. What researchers found was that heart patients who were prayed for suffered significantly fewer complications than those who did not receive the prayers. What makes the study all the more amazing was the fact the heart patients who were the recipients of the prayers had no idea of the study. Neither did their families. The findings are not startling. But such scientific reinforcement may raise some eyebrows for people of science who have a hard time making that leap of faith.

The heart patients were randomly divided into two groups. Their religious leanings were not taken into consideration. In one, patients were prayed for daily by community volunteers for four weeks. The other received the same level of high quality care but no prayers from the volunteers. The lead author of the study said the facts are consistent with the conclusion that God answers prayers.

Many doctors have long held that prayer is a significant part of the healing process. But such research data may give a push to doubters. It has always been said that prayer is good for the heart and soul. It is just nice to see that fact underscored in the modern-day world of high-tech medicine.