What is prayer anyway?
For me it's more than rattling off a wish list, it's a deep desire to see some effect - you could say I'm partly praying to myself, but hey, if God's Spirit indwells me, that's not a major problem!
For ill people, often just knowing that others are thinking about them is a boost for them to get well - a bit like the tail runner in a race being cheered on by the crowds, they may be running on empty but they are carried on by the encouragement.
A few years ago, my brother was seriously ill and had to undergo two massive operations followed by 5 weeks in ITU and another 2 months in a regular hospital ward, the odds were really stacked against him - only 20% chance of survival - plus the usual dangers associated with a prolonged period of ventilation - plus he contracted MRSA! Now, he's not a religious man so during all that time, I never once mentioned that either I or the prayer team in my church were praying for him, we just prayed.
When he finally came home, he asked me "Were the folks at your church praying for me?" I have still no idea how he knew that.
Is prayer for real then? I reckon at least some of it must be...