Professor Diane Becker of Johns Hopkins University is part of a series of current studies investigating the relationship between faith and healing. "We are not out to prove that a deity exists," says Dr. Becker. "We are trying to see whether prayer has meaning to people that translates into biology and affects a disease process."

Medical acceptance has grown along with scientific data on prayer's impact, says Dr. Dale Matthew of Georgetown University, author of The Faith Factor. He estimates that about 75 percent of studies on spirituality have confirmed that it has health benefits. "If prayer were available in pill form, no pharmacy could stock enough of it."