Abstract
Background
Many people are claiming to have been healed after Christian prayer. The last couple of years there have been several TV programmes discussing this. The debatants were searching scientific research on the topic.
Methods
First study the theological aspect. Secondly make a review of the relevant scientific literature. Finally make our own case study to try to document healings. In the last part we were only looking for total healing of diseases that could not have been cured by the normal course of the disease.
Results
In the theological part we found that Christians believe God heals by medicine, surgery, nutrition, climate, soul suggestion, deliverance from emotional problems, direct action of The Holy Spirit and at the resurrection. We also found that healing has a mainly personal purpose, but also includes more than just improved health. In our critical review of the scientific literature we described two systematic reviews, nine randomized controlled trials and one case studie. The quality and the results of the included studies varied. It was difficult to compare studies due to the variation in methodology and population. Even though some studies have significant results in favour of the prayer group, there is a need for more studies that have better control of the problems in methodology. In the third part of our assignment we did not manage to document a healing. We developed a method for documenting healings.
Conclusion
Christians believe that miraculous healing is not the only way God heals. There is needed more and better scientific studies. We did not manage to document a healing. Because of our narrow inclution criterias and limitations both geographically and economically, we did not get the possibility to do as much research as we wanted on this part.