If ever science was to prove that the Noah story is completely real, I'd just like to state that I am incredibly impressed and thankful to Noah for managing to collect two of each of those little mites and springtails that I occupy my time with in the lab. Highly impressive!
On a more serious note, I think prayer might have some real benefit in the shape of placebo effects or a collection of positive effects that stem from positive thinking and self-empowerment. I don't believe that the mind can move mountains (unless that mountain is merely a product of your psychosis
), but it can certainly do a lot.