This article outlines a recent study by Harvard on the scientific ineffectiveness of intercessory prayer. It concludes that prayer is not a reliable cure for disease. What surprises me is that Harvard spent 2.4 million dollars and nine years worth of research to prove this. I think that money could have been better spent elsewhere. Here is the link

http://bioethics.net/journal/j_articles.php?aid=1385

Once again, discussion and comments are welcomed and encouraged.
Omai

There is, however, evidence that people who regularly attend church live on average about 5 years longer than those who don't.

I think one might find that this is due to the positive effects of community rather than communion.