Can we let this rest now?
The largest study yet on the therapeutic power of prayer by strangers has found that it provided no benefit to the recovery of patients who had undergone cardiac bypass surgery.
In an unexpected twist, patients who knew prayers were being said for them had more complications after surgery than those who did not know, researchers reported Thursday.
The complications were minor, and doctors surmised that they could have been caused by the increased stress on patients worried that their conditions were so bad they needed prayers.
Now, I'm not saying there are NO benefits to prayer. Just like any form of meditation, there are the benefits you get from concentration, relaxation, and reflection. But can we finally leave behind this archaic superstition that prayer's gonna get you stuff???
That said, I'm sure a contrary study will be forthcoming - superstitious people just don't quit.
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