The only study I have heard of into the value of prayer in recovery showed absoulutely no benefits, this is the study that is detailed in the Dawkins book the god delusion and it was funded by a religous foundation. I'm sure there are other studies that show either positive or negative results.
What is that lovely phrase, lies; damned lies and statistics.
Miracle is a very strange word and I feel in current societ it has lost all meaning, its a miracle if we get to work on time or if we find a parking space.
I hate conversation to be bogged by the definitions of the words involved but I do feel that the word miracle is so overused as to be meaningless.