The Clinical Effectiveness of Prayer as an Intervention

Abstract

This article reflects on prayer and health and attempts to study the relationship between them. I start by looking at definitions, particularly thinking about how health might best be understood. From that I move to explore clinical trials of intercessory prayers as an intervention to aid recovery. That leads me to look at prayer in relation to health and wellbeing more generally. Lastly, I conclude with a short reflection on the passage from James and why we should pray for the sick.