Prayer is Ineffective?

As one of my friends told me today, the results of the largest study of intercessory prayer ever conducted were released recently. The study observed that there were no discernable differences in the rates of successful recovery or numbers of complications between people who received prayers and those who did not, thus researchers concluded that prayer is "ineffective". (For details, look here or here)

Many theologians and scientists attempted to explain away the data and several media outlets attempted to downplay the story. People in many circles probably find the results distressing, even a threat to their faith. Others are pleased with the results, which seem to show the power of science to exceed the power of spirituality. I think that all of these responses place way too much emphasis on this one study.

First, I believe that prayer is effective. However, God is not a vending machine. We can't put in our prayer and expect God to produce our desires. This study attempts to put God into a box, limiting the power of the creator of the universe to merely a genie that answers our wishes. God might be answering the prayers in the study by saying "no" or "not yet" or "my way, not that way." God's ways are not our ways, so what makes us think we should be able to order God around? It's like a six-year-old child telling his father what to make for dinner; the father will cook a healthy meal, even if it is not what the child requests. Does prayer work? Absolutely! But it works is God's time and in God's ways.

Also, we cannot discount free will. Like questions about theodicy, the answer involve the actions of humans as much as it involves the actions of God. No one knows where the lines are drawn between God's action and humankind's free will, so the impact both causes may have on the outcome must be considered.

Furthermore, humans cannot understand the mind or actions of God. God is limitless and above our understanding. There may be reasons beyond our comprehension for God's action or inaction. If we cannot with certainty discern why bumblebees can fly, how can we hope to discern how God chooses how to answer our prayers?

In short, I believe in the love, power and mystery of God. We don't know how God works, and it is enough for me to believe that God is working.