My father is an M.D. for a large pharmacuetical research company. When I spoke to him over thanksgiving he told me they are conducting a study on people with illness and what effect that praying has over their health. Basically the groups are split into two. One group that is religious and prays, one that unkowingly has others praying for their ongoing health and a non praying group. He said that even though they are in the mid-stages of the study their is already a marked difference in certain indicators of health among the groups that pray or have prayers directed towards them.
This study is not being sposored by a religious group or affiliated with one in any way. Apparently many doctors have known that prayer can have profound effects on patients health and well being so they are looking into it. I found it interesting when he told me this.
Sorry I can't give more specifics about the study, when I see him over christmas break I'll ask him more.