Less Americans embrace a traditional view of God and Bible reading is becoming less popular according to a survey by the Barna Group. In a national study of 1,006 adults, the Barna Group found that while two-thirds of the American population firmly embraces the idea that their most important purpose is to love God with all their heart, mind, soul and strength, the public's beliefs have changed in the past year.

Charlotte, NC--In 1872, Francis Galton inquired into the practice of intercessory prayer and concluded that it was not particularly efficacious. He came to this conclusion by studying statistical tables of average lifespans. In the halls of medicine today, scientists are also making serious inquiries into prayer’s efficacy using more sophisticated statistical measures. Prayer, specifically intercessory prayer, is being put to the test as an intervention in randomized clinical trials. Some Christians claim this is cause for rejoicing and science is proving God answers prayer. Others view the research more skeptically, raising questions of research quality but also of the plausibility of putting prayer and, by implication, God, to the empirical test.

• The Archives of Internal Medicine published a study by Dr. Farr A. Curlin on the impact that religion and spirituality have on a patient's wellness.   
• Over half of physicians interviewed believe that religion and spirituality has a major impact on patient wellness, according to a new study.
  • 2 out of every 5 doctors feel that it also helps prevent bad outcomes