Other's Prayers Don't Help Heal

A new study challenges the long held belief that prayers for recovery offered by strangers can help recovery from surgery. In fact, the study found that heart surgery patients who believed they were the recipients of intercessory prayer had a higher rate of complication after surgery than did those who were not sure if they were being prayed for.

the most common complication after surgery was atrial fibrillation.

The study did not take into account personal prayer or prayers of friends and family. Many people feel faith is a powerful weapon in their fight against illness, but this study does not appear to give that same power to the faith of strangers.