5 Responses to “Power of prayer… studied scientifically?”

1. By Judah on Mar 30, 2006

   God isn’t Burger King (you can’t always “have it your way”) is a message that needs to be spread far more than it is.
   Too many folk have such silly notions of God, test them and have them flunk, then blame God or else use that as “proof” He doesn’t exist.
   That is so totally and utterly irrational.

2. By Kevin Bussey on Apr 3, 2006

   I didn’t know you had posted this. I just commented on my site. My views echoed yours!

3. By John on Apr 3, 2006

   You know what they say… great minds think alike!

4. By HonestDiscussioner on Aug 30, 2008

   Isn’t it taught that “ask and ye shall receive”? This shows that prayer has no effect on reality. Why do you pray? Why do you ask for things if it will not help you in any way?

5. By John on Aug 30, 2008

   So… a scientific study, designed essentially to test God, is sufficient to prove that He doesn’t answer prayer? As if God works in predictable, repeatable manners that science can describe?

   First… there is at least one major problem with the study. It asks God to essentially prove Himself… it tests Him, which is in direct contradiction to the Scriptural command reiterated by Jesus in Matthe 4:7 and Luke 4:12: “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”

   Secondly… who really knows why God answers some prayers and not others? Scripture tells us in Romans 11:33-35:

   Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
       How unsearchable his judgments,
       and his paths beyond tracing out!
   “Who has known the mind of the Lord?
       Or who has been his counselor?”
   “Who has ever given to God,
       that God should repay him?”

   Bottom line? We’re in no position to expect God to respond to our whims as we see fit. He’s not Burger King… He doesn’t let us have it “our way”. Yet He allows us to ask, and promises us that He will grant good gifts in accordance with his will, if we truly believe He will answer (Matthew 7:7-11, Mark 11:24, Luke 11:9-13).

   So why do I pray? Because it allows me to communicate with God Himself, experiencing the joy and peace that come from knowing He cares enough to listen. Because I’ve heard Him respond to my prayers… right after I’ve spoken with Him, receiving answers to questions, comfort I’ve needed, and guidance I’ve asked for. And because I’ve experienced answered prayer in many other forms.

   With personal experience to the contrary and the testimony of millions of others to go by, the last thing I’m concerned about is the result of some study. I think I’ll keep praying and seeing God respond as He sees fit, pouring out blessings as a result of His love and grace.

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