Hi Bets,

Here is my take on it.  Prayer is most effective when intent is set at the deepest level, where intent merges with belief.  That is why, in healing circles you hear interesting methods of achieving this such as giving thanks for the healing before it has happened.  Feeling joyful, laughing, cultivating the feeling of the healing prior to it happening.  Seeing the ill person in your mind as smiling, dancing or laughing, free of their illness.

This is the difference between spiritual healing and prayer as most people know it.  Prayer is often thought of as supplication.  Throwing ourselves on the mercy of God, with the fear of a negative outcome.  This type of prayer is, in my opinion often impotent.  It does not harness our intent coupled to our deep belief in the outcome.  In short, it does not let our thoughts create reality in the real world, because supplication prayer is said, with thoughts working at cross purposes. 

Matthew