Posted on 04/07/2006 4:56:40 PM PDT by WKB
NASHVILLE, TN --It's being called the largest study ever to examine the effects of prayer, but a Southern Baptist professor says it's not much of a barometer at all.
"Anyone who seeks a prayer life guided by Scripture will not take this study seriously," Don Whitney, associate professor of biblical spirituality at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, said. "Prayer is based upon a relationship, namely a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, and prayer is itself a part of that relationship. And relationships cannot properly be evaluated by scientific methods."
The study, which appears in the April issue of American Heart Journal, found that prayer by others has a neutral effect on the risk of complications after bypass surgery and that people fare worse if they know others are praying for them.
Doctors began the study on intercessory prayer nearly a decade ago when they asked volunteers from one Protestant prayer group and two Catholic prayer groups to lift up the names of patients in the trial, and they were required to include the phrase, "for a successful surgery with a quick, healthy recovery and no complications."
Patients were randomly assigned to three groups -- one that was prayed for, one that was not prayed for and one that was told people were praying for them. None of the patients in the first two groups knew someone was told to pray.
Results indicated that 30 days after surgery there was no difference between patients who were prayed for and patients who were not. In fact, a significantly higher number of patients who knew they were being prayed for suffered complications.
"This study approaches prayer almost mechanically," Whitney said, noting that a particular phrase had to be prayed exactly and specific medical results had to be recognized. Also, researchers presumed that those who prayed had a personal relationship with God that would give power to prayer.
"This divorces prayer from the Gospel of Christ which establishes the relationship between any individual and a prayer-hearing God," he said.
Whitney added that it doesn't matter what such studies conclude because Christians do not govern their prayer lives according to the latest scientific studies.
Another Southern Baptist professor, Mark Coppenger, was quoted in USA Today in regard to the study, saying he questions the wisdom of measuring God's response.
"It's my experience that God actually prompts our prayers," Coppenger, distinguished professor of apologetics at Southern Seminary, said. "But I don't see Him cooperating in a test."
Baptist and Catholic(they were included in the study) ping.
Do not put the Lord your God to the test.
I have heard of and seen similar miracles many times
and still some doubt. Even Christians I'm afraid.
Do not put the Lord your God to the test.
Amen
When Jesus was tempted by the Devil to throw himself down so that God could raise him up again, Jesus quoted OT scripture that you should not tempt God. Or rather, "7Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"
I hardly think testing God was going to reap positive results.
In context:
Matthew 4:5-7
5Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.
6"If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: " 'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'"
7Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"
Of course the study was flawed; it didn't give the correct response. /sarc
Somebody should get a clue and figure out that maybe GOD doesn't care to be measured.
That explains things, since God is a jealous God and will not answer prayers to Mary.
Next to Richard Foster and Dallas Willard, Don Whitney has written one of the finast books on the spiritual disciplines, including prayer, "Spiritual Disciplines Within The Church". The man knows wherein he speaks.
Bingo. These folks wanted to put God to the test and He chose not to let them.
They don't teach prayer. They teach mysticism. That won't get God to answer you, but you might hear from others in the spirit world.
Is anyone else a little annoyed by the barrage of anti-Christian stories that have been in the media lately?
I think God is probably not bothered by secular
studies, and he just goes ahead and heals people
anyway. People of legitimate faith are ALWAYS healed.
If they're not healed here, they well by the time they
get THERE.
I think secular people ARE bothered by secular
studies and are completely amazed with a very
sick individual gets up off what everyone considered
a death bed.
I've been a Catholic all my life and I don't know anyone who prays TO Mary. I am not suggesting you give up your bigotry though. It makes you feel comfortable.
If you are not adopted by the KING OF KING'S and the LORD OF LORD'S, supplication is futile.
When i hear someone call out the Lord's name in vain,i tell them they can call all they want,they call in a futile attempt at intercession.
5 SOLAS!
Bigoted DOLT.
Mary is the mother of God. How can you suggest He is jealous when we ask her to intercede with Him on our behalf?
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