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In a message dated 7/24/2002 10:26:24 PM, [log in to unmask] writes: << he makes an excellent study for the effectiveness of prayer. One would think that more people pray for his good health than for any other person and yet his debilitation from Parkinson's appears to continue to advance. I notice a similar pattern with Billy Graham. He too must be in a lot of people's prayers for good health but his Parkinson's appears to continue to progress too. >> Of course, one might conjecture that the power of prayer is what gave him the strength and tenacity to walk down those stairs on his own. Whether we are cgs or PWPs, we probably pray, or wish nontheistically with all our might, that those of us who suffer could be relieved. When symptoms continue to progress, we may feel hopeless and let down. I don't expect prayer will magically reverse Billy Graham's PD or my own, any more than I ever thought there was a supreme being who would deliver up victory to a high school football team. (Actually, in the South where I grew up, many thought high school football stars WERE god.) But I do believe that prayer; or conjoined, intentional focus; or collective imagining -- call it what you will -- has power to effect change. Think of all of us who are helped by this list -- whose lives are less lonely, or who are encouraged to persevere personally or take action politically. We share, I think, a connection in spirit that goes way beyond simple information sharing. Maybe that's a form or prayer. Good night and amen, Kathleen ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn