Many Christians claim that God cannot be measured, that He exists ‘beyond science and logic’. But if this God is also supposed to be actively answering prayers, healing the sick, and influencing world events, then we should see the measurable effects of His presence. And yet, when we take a hard look at reality, what do we actually see? Nothing but randomness, struggle, and a world that operates just as we would expect if no deity were pulling the strings.

Let’s break this down logically. . .

The “God Works in Mysterious Ways” Cop-Out

Imagine a friend tells you they have a pet dragon that’s invisible, silent, and leaves no footprints. You ask for proof, and they respond, “You can’t measure him, but he’s there.” Would you believe them? Probably not.

Now apply this to prayer. Christians claim prayer changes things—healing the sick, granting protection, bringing prosperity. But when scientific studies test these claims, they fall apart. A massive study funded by the Templeton Foundation, which included 1,802 patients undergoing heart surgery, found no difference in recovery rates between those who were prayed for and those who weren’t. In fact, those who knew they were being prayed for had slightly worse outcomes, possibly due to stress or expectation. (American Heart Journal, 2006)

So if prayer has no measurable effect, how can anyone claim that a god is responding? The usual answer? “God works in mysterious ways.” In other words, when prayer appears to “work,” believers credit God. When it fails, they move the goalposts—God said no, God has a better plan, or the timing isn’t right. Convenient, isn’t it?


A Cold World That Doesn’t Care

We live in a world where children die of cancer, natural disasters wipe out entire communities, and good people suffer while the wicked thrive. These are not the signs of a benevolent, all-powerful being orchestrating events with love and wisdom. They are the brutal realities of a cold, indifferent universe governed by natural laws.

Take the 2010 Haiti earthquake, which killed over 230,000 people. Thousands of Christians prayed for protection, yet churches collapsed just like every other building. Believers often claim, “God saved some people!”—but why would He let countless others perish in agony? If He was able to stop the earthquake but chose not to, how is He good? And if He couldn’t stop it, how is He all-powerful?

Compare this to human action. When disaster strikes, it’s people, not gods, who send aid, rebuild homes, and comfort the grieving. If a god is involved, why is His presence indistinguishable from nothing?


The Hard Truth: People Cling to Comfort, Not Reality

The idea of a god watching over us is comforting, just like how a child clings to the belief in Santa Claus. But the truth isn’t always comforting—it’s often harsh. The laws of physics, biology, and probability determine our lives, not divine intervention.

When a person recovers from an illness, it’s modern medicine and their immune system doing the work—not a miracle. When someone survives a car crash, it’s luck, seatbelts, and physics—not divine protection. If prayer worked, hospitals would be empty, amputees would grow limbs back, and world hunger would have ended centuries ago.

But they haven’t. Because, in reality, there is no evidence of a god intervening in human affairs.


The Power of Knowing There’s Nothing There

At first, the realization that no god is watching over us can feel like a loss. Many people describe it as terrifying—like standing on the edge of an abyss with no safety net. But here’s the beautiful part: once you let go of false hope, you discover something far greater—your own power.

The world may be cold and indifferent, but that also means you are free. Free from waiting on a god’s approval, free from guilt and shame over “sin,” and free to shape your own destiny. You are not weak, you are not helpless, and you do not need divine permission to live a meaningful life.

No god is going to fix the problems of this world—but we can. Every act of kindness, every moment of love, every step toward progress comes from people, not from prayers.

Real strength isn’t found in surrendering to a higher power. It’s found in recognizing that you are enough. You don’t need an invisible protector—you have your own mind, your own resilience, and your own ability to change your world.

And that is far more powerful than any god could ever be.

Article by Leslyann Soeung

Sources:

Templeton Foundation Study on Prayer
Benson, H., Dusek, J. A., Sherwood, J. B., et al. (2006). “Study of the Therapeutic Effects of Intercessory Prayer (STEP) in Cardiac Bypass Patients: A Multicenter Randomized Trial of Uncertainty and Certainty of Receiving Intercessory Prayer.” American Heart Journal, 151(4), 934-942.

Available at: NCBI PubMed


Lack of Evidence for Prayer’s Efficacy in Healing
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2022). “Prayer and Healing: What the Science Says.” Mayo Clinic Research.

Available at: Mayo Clinic


Haiti Earthquake Statistics
United States Geological Survey (USGS). (2010). “M7.0 – Haiti Region Earthquake: Casualties and Damage Statistics.”

Available at: USGS Earthquake Hazards Program


The Problem of Evil and Natural Disasters
Rowe, W. L. (1979). “The Problem of Evil and Some Varieties of Atheism.” American Philosophical Quarterly, 16(4), 335-341.

Available at: JSTOR


Psychological Effects of Religious Belief and Deconversion
Zuckerman, P., Galen, L. W., & Pasquale, F. L. (2016). The Nonreligious: Understanding Secular People and Societies. Oxford University Press.

Available at: Oxford University Press