I have read of research conducted that tried to measure the effectiveness of prayer that takes place over varying distances.
The researchers used animal and plant species for the test subjects.
Not surprisingly, they learned that prayer does indeed change things.
But what is just as important is what they didn't know.
Before I tell you about that, you probably want to know HOW they figured out that prayer works.
The upshot is that they used machines to measure magnetism taking place on or near the test subjects.
Also, they would measure any difference in growth of aspects of the test subjects.
It did not matter whether the person(s) praying for the test subjects were in the next room or a mile away.
There was still a measurable effect taking place to the test subject.
What the researchers didn't know is this: it makes a difference as to whom the person praying is praying to.
As well as the relationship between the prayer and the god or God being prayed to.
No doubt you will recall that there were 7 sons of a Jewish person in the New Testament who thought they could imitate some of Jesus' apostles in order to cast out devils from people.
Then there was the case of an ex-sorcerer who offered to buy a certain prayer ability from other New Testament apostles.
Neither group of people ended up happy or getting their wishes fulfilled.
The 7 sons got a physical thumping from some devils they tried to cast out of a person.
And the ex-sorcerer got a severe tongue thrashing from one of the apostles.
You know, I've read somewhere that there are more promises from God in the Holy Bible then there are days in a year.
And quite a few of them are unconditional.
Despite this fact, I still tend to doubt God at times.
Do you ever do this? Partly to combat this failure of mine, and partly because I have an interest in prayer, I recently read a book by Masaru Emoto, who took photographs of water that he froze.
The work and ideas are somewhat similar to that of Snowflake Bentley.
The differences are that the later took the photos of snow flakes while outside.
Whereas the former took water from various locations, froze it, photographed it, and then tried taking photographs while the water had words pasted on its bottle, or had listened to different types of music.
The crystals formed were consistently prettier and more clearly formed when classical music was played, or when uplifting and love filled words were put on the bottles.
Mr.
Emoto writes that since mankind is composed primarily of water, and we all work and respond better to words of love and encouragement, that the crystals offer scientific proof of the power of such words.
Keep this thought in mind as we consider everyone's favorite prophet, Balaam (the guy with the talking donkey).
This man was hired by a king of a country in order for him to curse an opposing army.
Why did the king do this? Because of the prophet's track record.
The king saw that whomever was cursed, was cursed.
Whomever was blessed, was blessed.
Notice that the belief or non-belief of those who were blessed or cursed did not matter.
Also of no importance was whether or not Balaam's ability was politically correct, or nice, or even pastor apporved.
Summarizing, there are non-Biblical studies showing prayer works.
And that words and music have an effect on water and humans.
Your life, and mine, validate this.
And I suppose we could even give God and His Word two thumbs up for being correct, helpful, inspiring, giving us hope, and lots of other wonderful things.
Which means that you and I can become so much more.
I don't know of any reason why you can't have as close of a relationship with Jesus as the 12 apostles did.
Or why you can't hear God talk to you.
Or why you can't have such a God-given prophetic ability as Balaam did in the present day.
Can you imagine if you were like Balaam today? And imagine that some president or king wanted to hire you to curse some people or country.
Or, what if the Pope or some pastor wanted to hire you to bless their church?