Yes, healing threads have much value in letting the sick person and that person's family know how much you care. There is alot to be said for the effects of emotions on physical well-being. Before my cancer surgery last year, I read a book called "Prepare For Surgery, Heal Faster: A Guide For Mind-Body Techniques." One of the book's suggestions is to give the surgeon several suggested healing statements for him/her to recite after you are under anesthesia. One is in a sort of hypnotic state - and what is said in the operating room can actually be heard by the patient. The positive statements are recited in order to promote a faster, better recovery. They are not meant to reverse medical conditions. My surgeon agreed to use the statements, and I did have a surprisingly fast recovery. On the day of my release, my surgeon, as rational and non-new age as they come, told me - "You know those healing statements you gave me? They worked." He was not humoring me. This is, of course, different, but related to, what our newest mudcatter brought up in the thread title (I assume you're new?), but the relationship between the physical and the emtional cannot be stressed enough.

Religious belief is not nearly as important in my life as it is in Praise's, but who am I, or anyone, to question the efficacy of prayer? Not everything that's real can be put under a microscope.

Lastly, I think the timing of this thread title is more than a little insensitive, given what's happening with Spaw's wife. But, given that the question was asked, I didn't want to let it go without my own two cents worth.

-chanteyranger