I am familiar with the writings of that physician. He says that prayer is helpful for many medical conditions. He measures the effects of prayer on people who pray when they have cancer or other serious diseases and compares these people to others who do not pray. His scientific studies are getting a lot of attention, some from the medical community, but more from people who are interested in prayer.

This whole viewpoint of proving prayer or using science to validate prayer is one that amuses me. If prayer did not work, wouldn't that mean that religious people of the world are all ignorant people, practicing their unscientific superstitions to no avail? Would that mean that the heads of religions all over the world are continuing a practice that is useless?

As harsh as all this may sound, the proposition that prayer is ineffective against illness would mean an indictment of the good offices of all religious leaders. Who could completely discount prayer, or hold that prayer is not effective in dealing with the upsets, injuries and illnesses of mankind?

It can be very helpful to many people to have a scientific proof that affirms what they practice. Throughout mankind's history, priests have always been “physicians.” In all the tribal societies, the "witch doctor" has been the person who looked after both the spiritual and the health concerns of the community. I find it limiting to undergo any form of healing without the wonderful power and connection we are offered by the Great Spirit.

The Native American Medicine Man has never removed prayer from healing practices. As a matter of fact, prayer—both on the part of the Medicine Man and the person receiving attention and treatment—has always been considered essential. Native Americans believe that illness is a physical manifestation that necessarily occurs when we are not connected spiritually to the earth, our ancestors, and the will of the Great Spirit. In the Native American tradition, prayer goes far beyond being an effective or helpful adjunct to the treatment of disease. Prayer is considered an absolutely essential part of life.