David R. Hodge, an assistant professor of social work in the College of Human Services at Arizona State University’s West campus, has conducted an exhaustive meta-analysis on the effects of intercessory prayer among people with psychological or medical problems. In other words, does God – or some other type of transcendent entity – answer prayer for healing? According to Hodge’s study, ‘A Systematic Review of the Empirical Literature on Intercessory Prayer,’ the answer is ‘Yes.’ ‘There have been a number of studies on intercessory prayer, or prayer offered for the benefit of another person,’ said Hodge, a leading expert on spirituality and religion. ‘Some have found positive results for prayer. Others have found no effect. Conducting a meta-analysis takes into account the entire body of empirical research on intercessory prayer. Using this procedure, we find that prayer offered on behalf of another yields positive results.’ Hodge’s work will be featured in the March, 2007, issue of Research on Social Work Practice, a disciplinary journal devoted to the publication of empirical research on practice outcomes. It is widely recognized as one of the most prestigious journals in the field of social work. Hodge noted that his […]