Does Prayer Really Work?

[roseofshannon]

I’ve read a few posts recently that deny that prayer really works.

I have had many answered prayers, but I’m interested in knowing about scientifically proven answered prayers.

Do you have any examples and proof?

 

[PapyrusDouay]

Firstly, science doesn’t “prove” anything. The scientific method is essentially a process of deductive reasoning, so it can “dissprove” things though. So it can show what something is not.

Look into some of the modern saints and blessed. You’ll see that the miracles they need in order to be beatified or canonized are just about always answers to someones prayers.

These miracles have all been disproven to be anything else. Science has demonstrated that a miraculous cure is not due to medical treatment for example. That’s why we know it’s a miracle. The scientists and physicians determine that there is no plausible reason for a cure (most of the miracles are medical cures) . There is no Scientific explanation.

I’m emphasizing modern saints, so you know it’s modern science and medicine that can’t explain these miracles, not 13th century science which was obviously much different.

I’m sure there are good Catholic sources with much more details on each of these miracles, but here are some examples of miraculous answers to prayers from a few quick google searches. Proof prayer really works:

Mother Theresa: bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-35129463

Pope John XXIII: lastampa.it/2014/04/24/esteri/vatican-insider/en/a-miracle-has-been-attributed-to-john-xxiii-but-not-for-his-canonization-bxJaZWyhfuEaFNI5tLE3WO/pagina.html

Pope John Paul II: abcnews.go.com/International/miracles-put-pope-john-paul-ii-fast-track/story?id=23467594

Andre Bessette: catholicexchange.com/st-andre-bessettes-wondrous-miracles

But don’t forget, God answers many prayers that are explicable with science and medicine as well. It’s not just the inexplicable that are answers to our prayers, it’s just that they’re just easiest to “prove”.

 

[roseofshannon]

Firstly, science doesn’t “prove” anything. The scientific method is essentially a process of deductive reasoning, so it can “dissprove” things though. So it can show what something is not.

Look into some of the modern saints and blessed. You’ll see that the miracles they need in order to be beatified or canonized are just about always answers to someones prayers.

These miracles have all been disproven to be anything else. Science has demonstrated that a miraculous cure is not due to medical treatment for example. That’s why we know it’s a miracle. The scientists and physicians determine that there is no plausible reason for a cure (most of the miracles are medical cures) . There is no Scientific explanation.

I’m emphasizing modern saints, so you know it’s modern science and medicine that can’t explain these miracles, not 13th century science which was obviously much different.

I’m sure there are good Catholic sources with much more details on each of these miracles, but here are some examples of miraculous answers to prayers from a few quick google searches. Proof prayer really works:

Mother Theresa: bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-35129463

Pope John XXIII: lastampa.it/2014/04/24/esteri/vatican-insider/en/a-miracle-has-been-attributed-to-john-xxiii-but-not-for-his-canonization-bxJaZWyhfuEaFNI5tLE3WO/pagina.html

Pope John Paul II: abcnews.go.com/International/miracles-put-pope-john-paul-ii-fast-track/story?id=23467594

Andre Bessette: catholicexchange.com/st-andre-bessettes-wondrous-miracles

But don’t forget, God answers many prayers that are explicable with science and medicine as well. It’s not just the inexplicable that are answers to our prayers, it’s just that they’re just easiest to “prove”.

Thanks. I have read about them at various places but I wanted to see if we could list some here.

 

[Faxero]

I’ve read a few posts recently that deny that prayer really works.

I have had many answered prayers, but I’m interested in knowing about scientifically proven answered prayers.

Do you have any examples and proof?

Prayer is communication with God; extracting information from him, making requests, asking him to tell us what he desires from us, etc. It does not need to “work”.

When presenting a request to God, he can decide whether to grant it, or decline it. If the request isn’t granted, it’s not that the prayer “didn’t work”. It simply means that God declined the request made through the prayer.

 

[roseofshannon]

Prayer is communication with God; extracting information from him, making requests, asking him to tell us what he desires from us, etc. It does not need to “work”.

When presenting a request to God, he can decide whether to grant it, or decline it. If the request isn’t granted, it’s not that the prayer “didn’t work”. It simply means that God declined the request made through the prayer.

Okay, maybe my post title wasn’t the best. Yes there are many forms of prayer.

What I’m asking is if anyone has a proven miracle story to share.

 

[phil_at_dayboro]

I have no idea about scientifically proven Prayer requests,
But I do know not all Prayers are answered ,
And I do know the outcome may not be exactly what we had in mind,
And I Do know some Prayers actually do get Answered in Full…
But a Decade or more later,
God Moves in mysterious ways , we are on a Spiritual journey ,
There are no road maps , but rather Breadcrumbs laid out before you to follow,

 

[Robert_Sock]

I’ve read a few posts recently that deny that prayer really works.

I have had many answered prayers, but I’m interested in knowing about scientifically proven answered prayers.

Do you have any examples and proof?

It all depends what you’re praying for. Worldly things, including things like relationships, may never get answers, but praying for spiritual things, like the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit or overcoming a certain temptation, will. Sometime it takes a long time, but these types of prays often get answered if patient.

 

[roseofshannon]

Thanks for your responses, but I guess I’ll get the ball rolling by sharing this true story:

A man in our rosary group was studying for the priesthood and had been in a really bad car accident in Europe. He nearly died and his face was severely disfigured.

When he was finally well enough to be transported back to the US for further treatment the doctors did x-rays and discovered his jaw wasn’t set correctly. They would have to break it and set it all over again in surgery. He really didn’t want to do this…

It was suggested during our rosary that the children lay hands on him and pray for healing since the prayers of children are very powerful. They did and when he went back for further tests for surgery prep the doctors were astounded by what they saw: his jaw was completely healed and he didn’t need to have it reset after all!

He brought the x-rays to the next rosary group to show the “before and after”.

Does anyone else have any miracle stories to share?