ABSTRACT
A scientific theory is a generalization from which predictions can be derived, such that if these predictions come true, the theory is confirmed, and if they do not, the theory would be falsified. It is clear that claims about the efficacy of prayers addressed to a personal God cannot be tested experimentally. But this does not imply that they cannot be tested at all. Prayer affects the person who prays in two ways. First of all, even if prayer does not affect the way things go in the world, it does affect the attitude of the person who prays towards the way things go. Secondly, through this change in attitude the person who prays becomes better able to cope with the way things go in the world. In this way one might experience through prayer an increase of spiritual strength or grace in the face of adversity.
