The Scientific Efficacy The Scientific Efficacy of Intercessory Prayerof Intercessory Prayer

Douglas A. Vander Griend, Ph.D.Douglas A. Vander Griend, Ph.D.

Rev. Alvin J. Vander Griend, D.Min.Rev. Alvin J. Vander Griend, D.Min.

OutlineOutline

What is prayer?What is prayer?

Are the effects measurable?Are the effects measurable?

Are the effects reproducible?Are the effects reproducible?

Are the causalities discernable?Are the causalities discernable?

What is prayer What is prayer according to the Bible?according to the Bible?

Definition of PrayerDefinition of Prayer

Prayer is communication with God.Prayer is communication with God. Prayer is the conversational part of a love Prayer is the conversational part of a love

relationship with God.relationship with God. WorshipfulWorshipful SubordinateSubordinate Dependent – Dependent – PetitionPetition for oneself for oneself Collaborative – Collaborative – IntercessionIntercession for others and for others and

the creationthe creation

Theology of PrayerTheology of Prayer Who God is determines what prayer is.Who God is determines what prayer is. The God of the Bible reveals himself as:The God of the Bible reveals himself as:

PersonalPersonal LovingLoving CreatorCreator RedeemerRedeemer

Most misconceptions about prayer are Most misconceptions about prayer are really misconceptions about God.really misconceptions about God.

Intercessory prayer helps us fulfill our Intercessory prayer helps us fulfill our biblical mandate.biblical mandate.

Why Pray?Why Pray?

God has appointed us to act as His God has appointed us to act as His agents of renewal.agents of renewal.

He has chosen to act in accord with our He has chosen to act in accord with our prayers.prayers.

Prayer directs God’s power in Prayer directs God’s power in establishing His kingdom here on earth.establishing His kingdom here on earth.

We are also called to subdue the earth.We are also called to subdue the earth. It is appropriate for believers to use It is appropriate for believers to use

prayer as a means to subdue the earth.prayer as a means to subdue the earth.

Prayer Changes ThingsPrayer Changes Things Prayer produces prosperity - Prayer produces prosperity - Jeremiah 29:7Jeremiah 29:7 Prayer yields peace - Prayer yields peace - Phil. 4:6-7Phil. 4:6-7

Prayer lifts leaders and fosters social Prayer lifts leaders and fosters social transformation - transformation - 1 Timothy 2:1-21 Timothy 2:1-2

Prayer provides wisdom - Prayer provides wisdom - James 1:4James 1:4 Great works are possible through prayer in Great works are possible through prayer in

Christ’s name - Christ’s name - John 14: 12-14John 14: 12-14 God’s governance hinges on intercessory God’s governance hinges on intercessory

prayer - prayer - Ezekiel 22:30-3Ezekiel 22:30-3 (Psalm 106:23)(Psalm 106:23) Prayer ushers in the close of history - Prayer ushers in the close of history - Rev. 8:1-5Rev. 8:1-5 ““The prayer of a righteous person is powerful The prayer of a righteous person is powerful

and effective.”and effective.” - - James 5:16bJames 5:16b

Physical EffectsPhysical Effects Intercessory prayer is key to this battlefield victory Intercessory prayer is key to this battlefield victory

- - Exodus 17:8-13Exodus 17:8-13

Prayer stops rain - Prayer stops rain - 1 Kings 18:41-451 Kings 18:41-45

““The prayer offered in faith will make the sick The prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up.” - person well; the Lord will raise him up.” - James 5:15James 5:15

““Pray for each other so that you may be healed.” - Pray for each other so that you may be healed.” - James 5:16aJames 5:16a

Prayer raises the dead - Prayer raises the dead - Acts 9:40Acts 9:40 Prayer loosens chains and opens prison doors - Prayer loosens chains and opens prison doors -

Acts 12:1-17Acts 12:1-17

Intangible EffectsIntangible Effects

Placebo – HopefulnessPlacebo – Hopefulness PsychologicalPsychological

ThankfulnessThankfulness Faithful RelianceFaithful Reliance FellowshipFellowship

Physiological – meditationPhysiological – meditation SpiritualSpiritual

WisdomWisdom PeacePeace

Are the effects Are the effects measurable?measurable?

First ExperimentsFirst Experiments

Sir Francis Galton (1822-1911) Sir Francis Galton (1822-1911) compared average life spanscompared average life spans Kings vs. lordsKings vs. lords Clergy children vs. other childrenClergy children vs. other children

Frequency of disaster for ships carrying Frequency of disaster for ships carrying missionary’smissionary’s

Result showed negative correlation Result showed negative correlation based on his hypothesisbased on his hypothesis

A Plethora of StudiesA Plethora of Studies

Human health studiesHuman health studies MedicalMedical PsychologicalPsychological Addiction relatedAddiction related

Animal health studiesAnimal health studies Plant StudiesPlant Studies

Seed germination Seed germination Bacterial growthBacterial growth Tomato fungusTomato fungus

Can Prayer Cure?Can Prayer Cure?

5 – 7 Intercessors prayed for each of 192 5 – 7 Intercessors prayed for each of 192 patients in the CCU of San Francisco General patients in the CCU of San Francisco General Hospital.Hospital.

Positive therapeutic effects of intercessory prayer in a coronary care unit, R. C. Byrd, Southern Med. J. 1988, 81, 826-829.

Prayer Group (192)Prayer Group (192) ResultResult Control (201)Control (201)

33 Required antibioticsRequired antibiotics 1616

66 pulmonary oedemapulmonary oedema 1818

00 endotracheal intubationendotracheal intubation 1212

1313 deathdeath 1717

A Famous ExperimentA Famous Experiment

Building on the study by Byrd, William S. Building on the study by Byrd, William S. Harris heads a study aiming to measure Harris heads a study aiming to measure the efficacy of remote intercessory prayer the efficacy of remote intercessory prayer on the outcome of nearly 1000 patients on the outcome of nearly 1000 patients admitted to a coronary care unit.admitted to a coronary care unit.

A Randomized, Controlled Trial of the Effects of Remote, Intercessory Prayer on Outcomes of Patients Admitted to the Coronary Care Unit, W. S. Harris, et al. Arch. Intern. Med. 1999, 159, 2273-2278.

ParametersParameters

Double-blindDouble-blind Patients were not informed at all about studyPatients were not informed at all about study Medical staff were unaware of studyMedical staff were unaware of study

Intercessors received no feedbackIntercessors received no feedback Only chaplain’s nurse knew assignmentsOnly chaplain’s nurse knew assignments No attempt to estimate ‘background’ No attempt to estimate ‘background’

prayer.prayer.

Patient DistributionPatient DistributionAdmitted to CCU over 11.5 months

N = 1019Elimination of Patients Admitted for Cardiac

Transplantation

N = 6Randomized

N=1013

Prayer Group

N = 484

Usual Care Group

N = 529

Elimination of Patients admitted for less than 24 hours

Prayer Group, N = 18; Usual Care Group, N = 5

Final Prayer Group

N = 466

Final Usual Care Group

N = 524

Prayer ProtocolPrayer Protocol

Patients were assigned to a group based on Patients were assigned to a group based on the parity of the last digit of their medical the parity of the last digit of their medical record number.record number.

Intercessory prayer team leaders were Intercessory prayer team leaders were contacted with only the first name of the patient contacted with only the first name of the patient to be prayed for.to be prayed for.

15 teams of 5 prayed individually for 28 days 15 teams of 5 prayed individually for 28 days for each patient. for each patient.

Specifically requested “a speedy recovery with Specifically requested “a speedy recovery with no complications” and anything else that no complications” and anything else that seemed appropriate to them.seemed appropriate to them.

Intercessory SelectionIntercessory Selection

No particular denominational affiliation No particular denominational affiliation required.required.

All intercessors acknowledged:All intercessors acknowledged: ““I believe in God. I believe that He is I believe in God. I believe that He is

personal and is concerned with individual personal and is concerned with individual lives. I further believe that He is responsive lives. I further believe that He is responsive to prayers for healing made on behalf of the to prayers for healing made on behalf of the sick.”sick.”

Quantification of Quantification of OutcomesOutcomes

Predefined end point: weighted MAHI-CCU scorePredefined end point: weighted MAHI-CCU score

ScoreScore Comorbid ConditionsComorbid Conditions

11 Need for antianginal agents, etc.Need for antianginal agents, etc.

22 Need for antiarrythmic, inotropic, etc.Need for antiarrythmic, inotropic, etc.

33 Need for temporary pacemaker, etc.Need for temporary pacemaker, etc.

44 Need for a permanent pacemaker, etc.Need for a permanent pacemaker, etc.

55 Cardiac ArrestCardiac Arrest

66 DeathDeath

ResultsResults 11% reduction in score for those in prayer 11% reduction in score for those in prayer

group (P = 0.04)group (P = 0.04) 6.35 6.35 0.26 compared to 7.13 0.26 compared to 7.13 0.27 0.27

Unweighted score reduction: 10%Unweighted score reduction: 10% Mean lengths of stay were not statistically Mean lengths of stay were not statistically

different different 6.48 6.48 0.54 vs 5.97 0.54 vs 5.97 0.29 0.29

2 patients in prayer group stayed 137 & 161 2 patients in prayer group stayed 137 & 161 days, while no other patient in either group days, while no other patient in either group stayed over 70 days stayed over 70 days 6.48 6.48 0.54 down to 5.84 0.54 down to 5.84 0.31 days 0.31 days

35 other parameters showed no difference35 other parameters showed no difference

CritiqueCritique What does 11% signify?What does 11% signify? P = 0.04 is too weak to justify a change in P = 0.04 is too weak to justify a change in

“current theories”.“current theories”. Unethical treatment of patientsUnethical treatment of patients Theology is too haphazardTheology is too haphazard Invalidated scoring systemInvalidated scoring system Statistical designStatistical design Randomization techniqueRandomization technique What about all the studies by others that are What about all the studies by others that are

not reported?not reported?

Systematic ReviewSystematic Review 23 trials involving 2774 patients23 trials involving 2774 patients

Intercessory prayer at a distance (5)Intercessory prayer at a distance (5) Non-contact Therapeutic Touch (11)Non-contact Therapeutic Touch (11) Alternate forms of distant healing (7)Alternate forms of distant healing (7)

13 yielded statistically significant effects.13 yielded statistically significant effects. Intercessory prayer at a distance (2)Intercessory prayer at a distance (2) Non-contact Therapeutic Touch (7)Non-contact Therapeutic Touch (7) Alternate forms of distant healing (4)Alternate forms of distant healing (4)

9 showed no effect.9 showed no effect. 1 showed a negative effect.1 showed a negative effect.

Non-contact therapeutic touch on 38 puncture Non-contact therapeutic touch on 38 puncture wound patients.wound patients.

The Efficacy of “Distant Healing”: A Systematic Review of Randomized Trials, J. A. Astin; E Harkness; E.Ernst, Ann. Intern. Med. 2000, 132, 903-910.

Are the effects Are the effects reproducible?reproducible?

ReproducibilityReproducibility

The effects of prayer to the God of the Bible are The effects of prayer to the God of the Bible are as reliable as His promises.as reliable as His promises. Forgiveness is always grantedForgiveness is always granted Salvation in Christ is always grantedSalvation in Christ is always granted Any petition in accordance with His will Any petition in accordance with His will (I John 5:14-15)(I John 5:14-15)

Implies Faith (James 1:6)Implies Faith (James 1:6) Implies abiding in Him (John 15:7)Implies abiding in Him (John 15:7) Implies obedience (I John 3:22-23)Implies obedience (I John 3:22-23)

It is difficult to isolate a reproducible situation It is difficult to isolate a reproducible situation that is easily measurable.that is easily measurable.

Any possibilities?Any possibilities?

Is it possible to design a controlled trial of the Is it possible to design a controlled trial of the efficacy of intercessory prayer that is efficacy of intercessory prayer that is consistent with biblical theology?consistent with biblical theology?

The problem of dosageThe problem of dosage Length of timeLength of time Fervency of prayerFervency of prayer Degree of sincerity or prayerDegree of sincerity or prayer Faith of prayerFaith of prayer

True control groups don’t existTrue control groups don’t exist

HypothesisHypothesis Church randomly selects 160 households from Church randomly selects 160 households from

phone book in neighborhood of church.phone book in neighborhood of church.

Prayer: “The family would be receptive to the Prayer: “The family would be receptive to the church’s offer to come to their home, and lift up church’s offer to come to their home, and lift up their needs in prayer to God the Father.”their needs in prayer to God the Father.”

If only 80 were prayed for, the receptivity of the 2 If only 80 were prayed for, the receptivity of the 2 groups would be statistically different.groups would be statistically different.

If successful, ‘treatment’ is then made available If successful, ‘treatment’ is then made available to control group.to control group.

I Timothy 2:1-5I Timothy 2:1-5““I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers,

intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live for kings and all those in authority, that we may live

peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants

all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between truth. For there is one God and one mediator between

God and men, the man Christ Jesus,”God and men, the man Christ Jesus,”

Reproducible effects based on God’s revelation:Reproducible effects based on God’s revelation: Social TransformationSocial Transformation Effective Evangelism*Effective Evangelism* Spiritual GrowthSpiritual Growth

ExpectationsExpectations

Dosage will make a differenceDosage will make a difference FervencyFervency Time lineTime line Number of intercessorsNumber of intercessors Relationship of intercessors to the God of Relationship of intercessors to the God of

the Biblethe Bible Lack of participation may have negative Lack of participation may have negative

effect.effect. God does not override free will.God does not override free will.

DosageDosage

The Spindrift group found that the rate of The Spindrift group found that the rate of germination of rye seeds changed with prayer.germination of rye seeds changed with prayer.

When seeds were stressed with brine water, When seeds were stressed with brine water, prayer worked even better.prayer worked even better.

Twice as much prayer produced double the Twice as much prayer produced double the positive effects.positive effects.

Intercessor’s awareness increased Intercessor’s awareness increased effectiveness.effectiveness.

Non-directed prayer was more effective that Non-directed prayer was more effective that directed prayer. Who’s direction?directed prayer. Who’s direction?

Prayer – Old Approach, New Wonders, Dr. L. Dossey, 1989.

How does it work? How does it work?

CausalityCausality

God answers prayers of believers God answers prayers of believers according to His promises.according to His promises.

God also may answer prayers of non-God also may answer prayers of non-believers.believers.

Satan may also be able to act in Satan may also be able to act in response to prayer.response to prayer.

Non-contact interpersonal connectionsNon-contact interpersonal connections Non-local consciousnessNon-local consciousness Empathetic bondsEmpathetic bonds

Mechanism at a DistanceMechanism at a Distance

MiraculousMiraculous Angelic or demonicAngelic or demonic Material explanationMaterial explanation

Quantum opportunitiesQuantum opportunities Designed CoincidenceDesigned Coincidence Reestablishment of created orderReestablishment of created order

Heretofore unknown forcesHeretofore unknown forces

Unconventional ResearchUnconventional Research

Era Three MedicineEra Three Medicine Non-local consciousness – Dr. DosseyNon-local consciousness – Dr. Dossey

Princeton Engineering Anomalies ResearchPrinceton Engineering Anomalies Research The role of consciousness in the physical world.The role of consciousness in the physical world. Journal of Scientific ExplorationJournal of Scientific Exploration

The Global Consciousness ProjectThe Global Consciousness Project Pertubation of random number generators by Pertubation of random number generators by

human consciousness on a global scale.human consciousness on a global scale. James Lind determined that lemons and limes James Lind determined that lemons and limes

cure scurvy without ever even understanding cure scurvy without ever even understanding the concept of a nutrient (1753).the concept of a nutrient (1753).

ConclusionsConclusions God ordains the parameters of effective supplicative God ordains the parameters of effective supplicative

prayer.prayer. Prayer is the way in which we co-labor with God to Prayer is the way in which we co-labor with God to

accomplish His purposes in the world.accomplish His purposes in the world. Prayer can effect the natural world, so the scientific Prayer can effect the natural world, so the scientific

study of prayer is valid. study of prayer is valid. The physical effects of intercessory prayer seem to be The physical effects of intercessory prayer seem to be

measurable. measurable. Only the promises of God guarantee the reproducibility Only the promises of God guarantee the reproducibility

of appropriate intercession.of appropriate intercession. The mechanism of prayer and other distant effects is The mechanism of prayer and other distant effects is

largely unknown.largely unknown. More study is warranted.More study is warranted.