Is there scientific evidence that prayer aids healing? Studies show mixed results, with some finding positive effects from certain types of prayer and others showing no benefit or even negative outcomes.
Researchers have looked at prayer in different ways to see if it helps people get better. One study led by Candy Gunther Brown from Indiana University tested “proximal intercessory prayer,” where someone prays right next to the person who needs healing, often with touch. They worked with groups in Mozambique and Brazil known for healing prayers, focusing on people with hearing and vision problems. Before prayer, they used audiometers for hearing and eye charts for vision. After prayer, many improved a lot. For example, two people with hearing loss could detect sounds 50 decibels better, and three with very poor vision went from 20/400 or worse to 20/80 or better. These changes were much bigger than what you see in studies on suggestion or hypnosis. The findings came out in the Southern Medical Journal in 2010. You can read more at https://opentheword.org/2025/12/22/scientific-study-of-healing-at-iris-ministries-shows-proximity-key-to-success-of-healing-prayer/[1].
Not all studies agree. A big one called the STEP study, run by Harvard Medical School, cost 2.4 million dollars and lasted ten years. It involved 1,802 heart surgery patients at six hospitals. Patients were split into groups: some got prayer without knowing, some did not, and one group knew they were prayed for by strangers. The prayer was done from far away by people who may not have believed in its power. Results showed no difference in complications between those prayed for and not. The group that knew about the prayer actually had more problems. Critics like Candy Gunther Brown say this study did not test real Christian prayer well because it ignored who prayed, how they prayed, and their faith. Details are here: https://thinke.org/blog/havent-studies-proven-that-prayer-doesnt-make-any-difference-lee-strobel-amp-mark-mittelberg[2].
Other research points to prayer helping mental health and brain function. A neurosurgeon discussed a study on praying in tongues, linking it to healing in thoughts, emotions, and spirit. Watch it at https://www.youtube.com/shorts/jMsfb2O8taU[3]. General studies suggest prayer may boost well-being. See https://chainprayers.com/benefits-of-prayer-healing-power-and-mental-health-issues/[4].
Sources
https://opentheword.org/2025/12/22/scientific-study-of-healing-at-iris-ministries-shows-proximity-key-to-success-of-healing-prayer/
https://thinke.org/blog/havent-studies-proven-that-prayer-doesnt-make-any-difference-lee-strobel-amp-mark-mittelberg
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/jMsfb2O8taU
https://chainprayers.com/benefits-of-prayer-healing-power-and-mental-health-issues/
