Thanks for the reply.
You say that the "overwhelming percentage of the time, authentic earnest prayers of folks earnestly attempting to live a redeemed, righteous life in Christ's Blood and Spirit in a genuine, intimate walk with Him have a great impact on the focus of the prayers."
If it is in fact an overwhelming percentage of the time, it should be pretty obvious, no?
Now... the tough part. Who are these people? Are not all the dedicated nuns and monks and priests who prayed for the health of John Paul II part of that group?
Is there a particular denomination God listens to? What about all the American (and in fact, international) people who prayed for Ronald Reagan after he announced he had alzheimers? Did they have a positive effect on his health?
What about all the good, fine people here on FR who have prayed for various Freepers and their families or acquaintances? If the effect you posit is overwhelming, why have some succumbed?
I am a Christian. I'm not arguing based on some antagonism towards religion, but I am also a huge admirer of science and the knowledge it brings us, and I don't reject a study like this out of hand because it presents an uncomfortable truth.
Would we all like to believe prayer works? Of course. Anyone who's had a sick child would understand that. But my own experience shows it does not, and studies like this back up my conclusion.
God may well just not be interested in our petty lives and pleas.
I e-mailed the LA TIMES. Prayer does work because we pray for the LA Times to go out of business and it is working.