Unverified50% confidenceFactExact time
The article cites research findings from a Harvard cardiologist showing that prayer has no measurable effect on those being prayed for, but does affect the people doing the praying.
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50%
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Long-term
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9/19/2026
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Related Claims
UnverifiedThe largest intercessory prayer study conducted by Benson's team was published in 2006, enrolled approximately 1,800 cardiac bypass surgery patients, and found no significant difference in postoperative recovery between patients who were prayed for and those who were not.72% similarUnverifiedVox columnist Caspar Ter-Kyle argues in his new column Soul Searching that people who do not believe in God can still pray, and that the practice itself has value.69% similarUnverifiedBenson's 'relaxation response' theory documents the physiological effects of practices such as prayer and meditation on the practitioners themselves, including reduced heart rate, decreased cortisol levels, and lower blood pressure.64% similarUnverifiedTer-Kyle argues that any practice capable of helping a person access their genuine feelings and unlock something deeper can serve as prayer, thereby redefining prayer as a universal tool for self-awareness.64% similarUnverifiedTer-Kyle contends that prayer is not a transaction for obtaining things from God, but rather a process of confronting oneself, and should be redefined from outcome-oriented to process-oriented.64% similar
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