New Perspectives: A Senior Moment – ‘The Puzzle of Prayer’

A more fitting title for an article written by a “Reverend” should replace “puzzle” with “power.” Yet, the longer I have been in ministry, the more questions I struggle with about prayer and its central place in religious practice.

During this past Friday, Christians in Bruce County gathered together as did other followers around the world to share in World Day of Prayer. This observance was begun in 1887 by an ecumenical group of Christian women in the USA who wanted to pray for justice and peace. The movement has since spread to over 170 countries. (Wikipedia) Taking part in these gatherings is certainly an uplifting experience. Participants from various faith traditions come together, leaving behind what might divide them, and focus instead on what unites them—prayer.

Vocationally, I pray at funerals, weddings, baptisms, with fragile patients in palliative care and in hospitals with those desperate for full recovery. I lead “prayers of the people” during Sunday church services and, over many years, have met in my office with thousands of parishioners seeking prayer help for marriages, for wayward children, for jobs, for major decisions, and sometimes for a miracle.

Personally, I pray during my daily long evening walks or runs—-for family, for friends, for our world and perhaps too often, for myself. Sometimes, I talk with God about those many things for which I am thankful. At times, I just try and listen to God. Yet, the question remains: does prayer make any difference? A sceptic would vociferously agree with this little bit of sarcasm:

Praying is like a rocking chair; it’ll give you something to do,

                 But it won’t get you anywhere.” Gypsy Rose Lee (Brainy Quotes)

Conversely, like every clergy person, I have heard hundreds of stories from folks who testify to God’s answering their prayers, sometimes in dramatic fashion, like an unexpected healing or more quietly, like a gentle sense of God’s abiding presence in a time of need or loneliness. Others describe prayer as giving voice to a sense of awe and reverence as they encounter the beauty of creation displayed all around them.

I am both saddened and angered over what I have witnessed as two blatant abuses of prayer:

Faith Healing” There are men and women who genuinely believe they are called by God as ministers to people who come to a church altar, seeking healing in their mind or body. I have been among those prayed for. After being anointed with oil (a symbol of healing) and hands laid on me (as the Bible directs) I felt—nothing. But In the weeks that followed, a chronic disease which had been my unwelcome companion for years, gradually improved until eventually I became symptom-free. Co-incidence or answer to prayer?

My grievance? While I am by experience open to the possibility of “faith healing,” I am angry at those who would use deception, manipulation and prayer to supposedly bring about a cure for vulnerable, desperate souls who come with trust to receive their precious healing touch. Some of these more blatant abuses have been exposed through investigative television journalism.

A Lack of Faith” Can you imagine fighting against the ravages of cancer or some other horrific disease and being told that you are not healed because your faith is not strong enough? Or perhaps the accusing finger is pointed to that circle of friends and family who “lack faith” as they pray for their loved one afflicted with illness. One can point to a Bible verse which does state: “—prayer offered in faith —will heal the sick.” (James 5:14,15) Yet, what kind of God would insist that a grievously ill patient or their exhausted loved ones must summon up enough energy to produce a faith worthy of healing? Biblical verses taken in isolation can be used to prove almost anything.

One could turn to science to determine objectively the efficacy of prayer; that is— does it work? Unfortunately, the results from scholarly research are not encouraging. A major study reported in the American Heart Journal found no difference between post-surgery patients who were prayed for by church groups and those who were not. (Benedict Carey, N.Y. Times article, May 31, 2006) Other studies showed mixed results. Defenders of prayer would respond that the power of prayer cannot be measured scientifically. It is a personal matter of relationship with the Divine, not artificially manufactured.

Why are some prayers answered and others seemingly not? Why do we need to pray if our omniscient God already knows the outcome? Why does God allow such suffering if He could remove it through our prayers? Does God really need to continually hear how awesome He/She is? How is it that the same people who are not religious receive “miracles” without even asking?

All I know is that I still pray and then leave it for God or the universe, fate or coincidence to bring about the desired result or not. I know I do feel better when I pray; I know others feel strengthened and cared for when I pray for them.

I know that “People of the Book”—Christians, Jews and Muslims, are directed by their holy books to pray. Perhaps all that is reason enough. I can leave the “puzzle” part of prayer with a Higher Power.