Baptist News Global
Sections
  • News
  • Analysis
  • Opinion
  • Curated
  • Storytelling
    • Faith & Justice >
      • Charleston: Metanoia with Bill Stanfield
      • Charlotte: QC Family Tree with Greg and Helms Jarrell
      • Little Rock: Judge Wendell Griffen
      • North Carolina: Conetoe
    • Welcoming the Stranger >
      • Lost Boys of Sudan: St. John’s Baptist Charlotte
      • Awakening to Immigrant Justice: Myers Park Baptist Church
      • Hospitality on the corner: Gaston Christian Center
    • Signature Ministries >
      • Jake Hall: Gospel Gothic, Music and Radio
    • Singing Our Faith >
      • Hymns for a Lifetime: Ken Wilson and Knollwood Baptist Church
      • Norfolk Street Choir
    • Resilient Rural America >
      • Alabama: Perry County
      • Texas: Hidalgo County
      • Arkansas Delta
      • Southeast Kentucky
  • More
    • Contact
    • About
    • Donate
    • Associated Baptist Press Foundation
    • Planned Giving
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Advertising
    • Ministry Jobs and More
    • Transitions
    • Subscribe
    • Submissions and Permissions
Donate Subscribe
Search Search this site

Paul Ryan and the House chaplain: Proof that prayer works?

OpinionBrett Younger  |  April 27, 2018

Paul Ryan believes in prayer so much that on April 15 he forced the House chaplain to resign. Ryan has not given a reason for the dismissal, but many are pointing to a prayer Father Patrick Conroy offered while lawmakers were considering tax reform. The priest prayed that lawmakers would “be mindful” of economic disparities and those “who continue to struggle.” Ryan’s concern is surprising as the prayer clearly did not work.

Every once in a while scientists who cannot raise money for real research get stuck doing a study on how prayer works. Non-believers argue that wishful thinking is not a suitable subject for scientific investigation. Believers argue that the results of prayer are not easily measured.

The outcome of these studies tend to reflect the desires of whoever paid for the research. Religious researchers often find that praying for another’s well-being reduces one’s own anxiety. Non-religious researchers point out that prayers for healing are no guarantee that healing will occur.

The scientific study of prayer focuses on the things for which people most often pray — health concerns, financial difficulties, or societal problems — but the prayers we do not pray are the best evidence that prayer works.

Hunger is a subject about which we do not pray. After Jesus told the rich young ruler to sell all that he had and give it to the poor, we can be fairly certain that young man did not go home and pray about it.

We are careful not to pray seriously for the homeless. We find it awkward to pray for people who have no home when we have a guest room.

If we have ever given a gift to a charity, then we do not pray about our mail, because most days we get a request for money. Most are worthy causes — the Christian Children’s Fund, Habitat for Humanity, Mothers against Drunk Driving, Bread for the World, Alzheimer’s research. The message on the envelopes from Amnesty International reads, “You can help stop torture.” If we pray over that envelope we have to write a check.

There are so many situations in which we will not pray. Your boss tells a sexist joke. You know it is evil and wish someone would point it out, but do you really want to pray, “God, what should I do? Should I challenge my boss who might not take kindly to my helpful words of correction?”

We have been praying about gun violence, but we are careful. If you want gun control it is hard to pray honestly about the sense of moral superiority that may be taking up residence in your heart. If you are a Second Amendment person it is hard to pray honestly for innocent children who are dying. If we pray seriously about gun violence, we will do more than wait around for the next election.

We do not want to pray about our careers. Does the senior pre-law major want to pray about whether God would like for her to be a social worker? Does the successful businessperson want to ask God if a lower paying job might make more of a contribution to the world?

We are careful about praying for people we do not like. When Jesus said, “Pray for your enemies” he was inviting us to the kind of prayer that will lead us to say something kind that we do not want to say.

Prayers should come with warnings. Do not pray about the school system. You may end up tutoring second graders. Do not pray about human trafficking. You may end up paying for much-needed supplies for victims. Do not pray about racial justice. You may end up working on bail reform.

We like what we have — especially the vices we have gotten used to. We do not pray about our addictions — eating too much, drinking too much, or spending too much. St. Augustine prayed, “God, give me chastity, but not yet.”

Most of us, including Paul Ryan, understand that critiquing prayer is easier than truly praying. We do not avoid praying because our prayers go unanswered. We avoid praying because we are afraid our prayers will be answered. The proof that prayer works is the way we choose a life given to comfort over a life given in prayer.


OPINION: Views expressed in Baptist News Global columns and commentaries are solely those of the authors.
Tags:House chaplainFather Patrick ConroyGun violencetax reformPrayereconomic disparityEducationcareerRacial Justicebail reformHuman TraffickingBrett YoungerSexismGivingHomelesshungerPaul Ryanprayenemiespraying
More by
Brett Younger
  • Get BNG headlines in your inbox

  • Featured

    • The fantastical world of climate change denial: Slouching toward annihilation

      Opinion

    • Veterans and faith groups urge Congress to secure the safety of Afghan immigrants

      News

    • Frederick Buechner influenced millions with his insightful writing and quotable lines

      News

    • Remembering a sign for the times: The serpent and the seminary

      Opinion


    Curated

    • In latest ‘gOD-Talk’ discussion, Black millennials discuss hip-hop and faith

      In latest ‘gOD-Talk’ discussion, Black millennials discuss hip-hop and faith

      August 16, 2022
    • Colorado to spar over discrimination case in Supreme Court

      Colorado to spar over discrimination case in Supreme Court

      August 16, 2022
    • Crossing the rubicon? Mar-a-Lago raid enflames right wing fantasies of Christian Caesarism

      Crossing the rubicon? Mar-a-Lago raid enflames right wing fantasies of Christian Caesarism

      August 16, 2022
    • An interfaith discussion on the role of religion in mental health

      An interfaith discussion on the role of religion in mental health

      August 16, 2022
    Read Next:

    No, Dan Patrick, God did not write the U.S. Constitution

    OpinionRick Pidcock

    More Articles

    • All
    • News
    • Opinion
    • Curated
    • Ministry jobs and more

      NewsBarbara Francis

    • Hymn stories: ‘The Church’s One Foundation’

      OpinionBeverly A. Howard

    • Veterans and faith groups urge Congress to secure the safety of Afghan immigrants

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • The fantastical world of climate change denial: Slouching toward annihilation

      OpinionRodney Kennedy

    • When forced to choose between their ministry and their transgender child, this family chose love

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Remembering a sign for the times: The serpent and the seminary

      OpinionDalen Jackson

    • Frederick Buechner influenced millions with his insightful writing and quotable lines

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • No, Dan Patrick, God did not write the U.S. Constitution

      OpinionRick Pidcock

    • Black religion and reparation questions

      OpinionWendell Griffen

    • Progressive National Convention joins with AFL-CIO to advance racial and economic justice

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • What happened to American conservatism? Engaging Matthew Continetti’s The Right

      OpinionDavid Gushee, Senior Columnist

    • Historic Kentucky church calls gay man as co-pastor

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Department of Justice investigating SBC on sexual abuse

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • ‘Everything is changing at the same time,’ veteran religion reporter explains

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Skepticism holds seeds of hope: The SBC and clergy sex abuse

      OpinionChrista Brown

    • Tony and Lauren Dungy know something about influence, on the field and at home

      NewsMaina Mwaura

    • Here’s what I’m learning in therapy

      OpinionMark Wingfield

    • Letter to the Editor: I also stand with Brittney Griner and kneel for the Anthem

      OpinionLetters to the Editor

    • It’s easier to be a bully today, author explains

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • A thoughtful question at Bubba-Doo’s

      OpinionCharles Qualls

    • When conservatives today speak of ‘states’ rights,’ they likely don’t mean the popular vote; here’s a case in point

      AnalysisMark Wingfield

    • Transitions for the week of 8-12-22

      NewsBarbara Francis

    • SBC president says he tried to enlist more women for sexual abuse task force but got turned down repeatedly

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • At long last, Trump’s ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy appears to be dead

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • In applauding Victor Orban, U.S. conservatives call their shot

      OpinionRodney Kennedy

    • Ministry jobs and more

      NewsBarbara Francis

    • Veterans and faith groups urge Congress to secure the safety of Afghan immigrants

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • When forced to choose between their ministry and their transgender child, this family chose love

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Frederick Buechner influenced millions with his insightful writing and quotable lines

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Progressive National Convention joins with AFL-CIO to advance racial and economic justice

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Historic Kentucky church calls gay man as co-pastor

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Department of Justice investigating SBC on sexual abuse

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • ‘Everything is changing at the same time,’ veteran religion reporter explains

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Tony and Lauren Dungy know something about influence, on the field and at home

      NewsMaina Mwaura

    • It’s easier to be a bully today, author explains

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Transitions for the week of 8-12-22

      NewsBarbara Francis

    • SBC president says he tried to enlist more women for sexual abuse task force but got turned down repeatedly

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • At long last, Trump’s ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy appears to be dead

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Some evangelical leaders see FBI visit to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago as evidence of the religious persecution coming to them

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • New study finds scammers luring migrants with false information via Facebook and WhatsApp

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Progressive Baptist congregation on Wake Forest campus votes to close

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Ministry jobs and more

      NewsBarbara Francis

    • South African women’s soccer team success shines a light on gender wage discrimination

      NewsAnthony Akaeze

    • It isn’t a church and doesn’t have members, but it is a way to keep United Methodists in the fold as their congregations disaffiliate

      NewsCynthia Astle

    • Rural church offers community development grants through Gratitude Project

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • The church needs to do better on monkeypox than it did on HIV, faith leaders say

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Russell Moore named editor in chief of Christianity Today

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • 40 Congressmen urge IRS to reconsider classification of Family Research Council as a ‘church’

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Online religion content isn’t luring Millennials away from in-person church

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Ministry jobs and more

      NewsBarbara Francis

    • Hymn stories: ‘The Church’s One Foundation’

      OpinionBeverly A. Howard

    • The fantastical world of climate change denial: Slouching toward annihilation

      OpinionRodney Kennedy

    • Remembering a sign for the times: The serpent and the seminary

      OpinionDalen Jackson

    • No, Dan Patrick, God did not write the U.S. Constitution

      OpinionRick Pidcock

    • Black religion and reparation questions

      OpinionWendell Griffen

    • What happened to American conservatism? Engaging Matthew Continetti’s The Right

      OpinionDavid Gushee, Senior Columnist

    • Skepticism holds seeds of hope: The SBC and clergy sex abuse

      OpinionChrista Brown

    • Here’s what I’m learning in therapy

      OpinionMark Wingfield

    • Letter to the Editor: I also stand with Brittney Griner and kneel for the Anthem

      OpinionLetters to the Editor

    • A thoughtful question at Bubba-Doo’s

      OpinionCharles Qualls

    • In applauding Victor Orban, U.S. conservatives call their shot

      OpinionRodney Kennedy

    • Christian nationalism is a danger to our nation

      OpinionMarvin McMickle

    • Advice from a sunflower

      OpinionPhawnda Moore

    • What I learned at Wake Forest Baptist Church

      OpinionDavid Ramsey

    • Why can’t we accept sexual and gender diversity in humans as well as in all creation?

      OpinionDan McGee

    • I’ve been unaware of my privilege, and if you are a man, you probably have, too

      OpinionRobert P. Sellers

    • Are left-wing radicals pushing Cracker Barrel to the edge of the slippery slope?

      OpinionBrett Younger

    • To be more welcoming, let’s remove our flags

      OpinionJustin Pierson

    • News flash: Not all Baptists are Southern

      OpinionBrian Kaylor

    • Why aren’t we defending Brittney Griner?

      OpinionRodney Kennedy

    • A school administrator reflects on rebuilding relationships between schools and homes

      OpinionStanton Eugene Lawrence

    • Judging the stripper and the carouser in ourselves at the Communion table

      OpinionBrad Bull

    • After the Guidepost report, we need to know more about FBC Woodstock’s City of Refuge and NAMB’s support for it: Was ‘moral failures’ code for sexual abuse?

      OpinionJoanna Sullivan

    • Forsaking Baal for the God who is in recovery

      OpinionBill Leonard, Senior Columnist

    • Thomas Merton, Martin Luther King and Critical Race Theory

      OpinionKen Zagacki

    • In latest ‘gOD-Talk’ discussion, Black millennials discuss hip-hop and faith

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Colorado to spar over discrimination case in Supreme Court

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Crossing the rubicon? Mar-a-Lago raid enflames right wing fantasies of Christian Caesarism

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • An interfaith discussion on the role of religion in mental health

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Republicans keep mostly mum on calls to make GOP ‘party of Christian nationalism’

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • The Faith-Based Politics of El Salvador’s Millennial President

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Reckoning with their history, Lutherans issue declaration to Indigenous peoples

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Religion, Spirituality Second Most Frequently Read Genre in U.S.

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Pope Francis meets transgender guests of Rome church

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Politicians seek to control classroom discussions about slavery in the US

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Despite vastly different values, evangelical ‘Hamilton’ connects secular left and Christian right

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Both Open- and Close-mindedness Increase in U.S.

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Native Americans urge boycott of ‘tone deaf’ Pilgrim museum

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Boston’s Jews are getting a ‘Jewish tavern’ to study religious text — and drink beer

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • ReAwaken Tour host says he feels harassed by NY prosecutor

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Why the largest US Lutheran denomination apologized to a Latino congregation

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • The Supreme Court Wants to End the Separation of Church and State

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Suspect in Dallas salon May shooting indicted for anti-Asian hate crime

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Anglican Division over Scripture and Sexuality Heads South

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Amy Spitalnick, who took on neo-Nazis in Charlottesville, is moving to Bend the Arc

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • New York City’s Largest Evangelical Church Plans Billion-Dollar Development

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Ben & Jerry’s fears its new Israeli owner could sell ‘Judea and Samaria’ ice cream in latest court hearing

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Why Alexander Hamilton gave his heart to Jesus at a Texas church this weekend

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Baby Blues: How to Face the Church’s Growing Fertility Crisis

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Orthodox Alaska Part 2: The Beatles, Bees And Orthodoxy Animated In One Man’s Life

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    Conversations that Matter.

    © 2022 Baptist News Global. All rights reserved.

    Want to share a story? We hope you will! Read our republishing, terms of use and privacy policies here.

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • RSS