It was King Solomon who suggested that laughter or a cheerful heart is good medicine (Proverbs 17:22) – but a new study confirms what Christians have long believed: there’s evidence that prayer works as well or likely even better.
Researchers from the University of Maryland School of Medicine worked with 180 patients who had reported suffering from moderate to severe anxiety or pain. Some were struggling with both afflictions.
Representatives from the school’s Department of Family and Community Medicine split the group in half. They assigned 90 patients to relax in a room with soothing music. They then took the other 90 and invited them to visit with a minister who prayed with them in-person for five minutes.
School representatives met with each person immediately following their sessions and then again two and six weeks later.
What did they find?
While individuals in both groups showed improvement, those who were prayed for in-person saw the greatest reduction in symptoms.
Researchers concluded:
Just a note of correction or clarification to researchers at the University of Maryland:
Prayer isn’t low-cost. It’s free.
Writing to Timothy, the Apostle Paul suggested prayer wasn’t just effective but also in everyone’s best interest.
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Tim. 2:1-2).
James struck a similar sentiment when he wrote, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (5:16).
If a Christian believes in the power of prayer, and recognizes its effectiveness, it does beg the question:
Why don’t believers pray more often and more fervently?
One sobering conclusion would have to be that we really don’t fully believe what we claim to believe.
We’re also quickly distracted and sometimes even self-consumed, self-centered, and self-sufficient, believing that we can handle things on our own.
As Christians who believe in the authority of Scripture, we don’t need social science to firm up our biblical convictions. But it’s always affirming when the two agree. The late Dr. Adrian Rogers, a former Focus on the Family board member and pastor, often said with a smile, “Every now and then science may disagree with the Bible. Just give the scientists time, and maybe they will catch up.”
In this instance, they’ve caught up – no prescription or co-pay required.
