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           Research shows prayer has a beneficial effect

           A massive study has found that patients admitted to

           hospital with heart trouble fare better if someone is

           praying for them.

           None of those involved were told that people were

           engaging in what is known as "intercessory prayer" on

           their behalf.

           Just over half of these, picked at random, were made the

           subject of intercessory prayer.

           However, on average, the 500 patients prayed for had

           11% less complications during their stay in hospital.

           In all, the researchers looked at 990 people admitted to

           the coronary care unit over the course of a year.

           Using a standard coronary care scoring system, patients

           from prayer and non-prayer groups were assessed.

           Those who were the subject of prayer did better than

           their fellow patients, although in general, they did not get

           out of hospital any earlier.

           'Could be chance'

           The research team, based at a university hospital in

           Kansas City, US, admitted that no rational explanation

           could be found to explain away the difference.

           But their report said: "We have not proven that God

           answers prayer or that God even exists. It was

           intercessory prayer, not the existence of God, that was

           tested here.

           "Chance still remains a possible explanation of our

           results."

           The prayers were said by volunteers from a local church.

           They were simply sent the patient's first name on a

           piece of paper, and told to pray for "a speedy recovery

           with no complications".

           Studies inconclusive

  Those being prayed for did not even know that a clinical

           trial was going on, let alone that they were the target of

           prayer. The scientists believed that knowing that

           someone was praying for you could conceivably have an

           effect on outcomes.

           Other studies into the effects of intercessory prayer have

           been inconclusive - it has been found in earlier studies to

           have no significant effect on leukemia patients, or those

           suffering from anxiety or depression.

           However, one study into AIDS patients found significant

           improvements in the number of infections acquired when

           intercessory prayer was given.

           The latest study was published in the Annals of Internal

           Medicine.

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