An evidenced based research presentation. By Mary DeWitt, Rick
Loenser, Dawn Koolman and Terri Sand
Slide 3
Prayer promoting good health. (Narayansam & Narayansamy,
2008) Nurses, as health professionals could play an important role
by praying with or for, patients. (Narayansamy & Narayanasamy,
2008) Evidence will support positive outcomes in patients physical
conditions.
Slide 4
Overview What is prayer? Petitionary Intercessory Adoration
Ritual Prayer Meditative Prayer Colloquoil prayer What is
Meditation? Ritual and process to spiritual transformation (Young
& Koopsen, 2011, pg70-74)
Slide 5
Effects of Prayer Coping Arrest the progression of illness
Remission or complete healing (Young & Koopsen, 2011)
Slide 6
Approaches Semi-structured interview 20 participants Watsons
Theoretical Framework Participants from several denominations
Findings 5 main cluster themes Subthemes Summary of participant
responses Learning obtained (Blasko, 2011)
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Limitations Limited participants Unequal gender distribution
Lack of cultural diversity Narrowed scope of interview (Blasko,
2011) Credibility Validated experiences of healing through prayer
Participants experienced healing Researchers experienced life-
altering inspiration Prayer enhances spiritual phenomenon and
healing
Slide 8
Approaches Literature based study Systematic approach Key words
Broad data base for literature search Original research Personal
prayer Findings Key variables Private prayer Frequency of prayer
Religiosity Demographics Prayer origination (Honeywell, 2008)
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Limitations Lacks a defined Theoretical Framework No controlled
trials Limited effectiveness of prayer Evidence reliant on
methodological approach Sample bias Credibility Evidence supports
association between prayer and well-being Active participation in
prayer leads to better health Private devotional prayer associated
with decreased depression and anxiety (Honeywell, 2008)
Slide 10
Approaches Findings Empirical studies The authors use many
perspectives for the reviews of the studies Many prayer types Many
different models Effects of prayer: Physiological Psychological
Spiritual Salutary (Breslin, 2008)
Slide 11
LimitationsCredibility Unknown number of participants No
statistics offered Authors and reviewers give suggestions Many
prayer types With many different authors, they have different
findings A critical exam of past literature was conducted (Breslin,
2008)
Slide 12
Prayer is beneficial for health. Young & Koopsen (2011)
state, Prayer can profoundly affect the healing process. Research
demonstrates that religious practices such as worship attendance
and prayer may contribute to physical and emotional health (p. 72).
Research has demonstrated that regular prayer, scripture reading,
or study provides health benefits (Matthews, 2000).
Slide 13
These might affect health evidence suggests that the strongest
impact of religion and spirituality on health is its preventive
effect in healthy people (Chida, Steptoe, & Powell, 2009;
Powell, Shahabi, & Thoresen, 2003), but religion/spirituality
had also been shown to be a coping resource in diseased patients
(Powell et al.). Guthlin, Anton, Kruse, and Walach (2011) states,
Our results support data that imply the existence of a
psychophysical pathway in healing through spiritual rituals, and
gave subjective insight into the perspective of patients (p.
328).
Slide 14
Conclusions and Implications for Practice (cont.) Research
strongly supports the use of prayer as an alternative therapy for
healing. Limitations are present but the benefits heavily outweigh
the weaknesses. Prayer enhances spiritual phenomenon and
healing
Slide 15
And the prayer of faith shall save the sick and the Lord shall
raise him up (James 5:15, King James Version)
Slide 16
Chida, Y., Steptoe, A., & Powell, L. H. (2009).
Religiosity/spirituality and mortality. A systematic quantitative
review. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 78(2), 81-90.
doi:10.1159/000190791 Gthlin, C., Anton, A., Kruse, J. and Walach,
H. (2011). Subjective Concepts of Chronically Ill Patients Using
Distant Healing. Qualitative Health Research, 22(3), 320331. DOI:
10.1177/1049732311421914 Matthews, D. S. (2000). Prayer and
spirituality. Rheumatic Diseases of North American, 26(1), 177-187.
Narayanasamy, A., & Narayansamy, M. (2008). The healing power
of prayer and its implications for nursing. British Journal of
Nursing, 17(6), 394-398. Powell, L. H., Shahabi, L., &
Thoresen, C. E. (2003). Religion and spirituality: Linkages to
physical health. American Psychologist, 58(1), 36- 52.
doi:10.1037/0003-066X.58.1.36
Slide 17
Taylor, E. J. (2002). Spiritual care. Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Prentice Hall. Young, C., & Koopsen, C. (2011). Spirituality,
Health, and Healing: An Integrative Approach (2nd ed.). San Diego,
CA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
Slide 18
Blaszko Helming, M., (2011). Healing Through Prayer. Holistic
Nursing Practice, 25(1), 33-44. doi: 10.1097/HNP.0b013e3181fe2697
Mary Blaszko Helming, PhD, FNP, AHN-BC, Department of Nursing,
Quinnipiac University, Hamden, Connecticut. This qualitative study
approached the topic of healing through prayer amongst interviewed
participants. Care providers were the intended audience for the
research outcomes. The participants of the study were all
affiliated with Christian churches of several denominations. The
research focused on the participants experience with prayer and its
influence on their personal medical conditions. Tables were
presented displaying the interview guide questions, demographics of
the participants, theme categories, and their subthemes. Their
outcomes are discussed and the aspects of prayer are applied to
their degree of healing. The study recognizes biass of the
interview population in terms of age, gender, demographics, and
culture.
Slide 19
Breslin, Michael J.. & Lewis, Christopher A. (2008).
Theoretical models of the nature of prayer and health: A review.
Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 11:1, 9-21.
doi.org/10.1080/13674670701491449 Michael J. Breslin, School of
Psychology, University of Ulster at Magee College, Londonderry, UK.
Christopher A. Lewis, Glyndwr University This article looks at many
perspectives and suggests how prayer has an effect on health. It
states numerous ways on how prayer can effect health from a
physiological, psychological and spiritual aspect. It refers to
many different types of prayers and its focus is on caregivers as
the intended audience. Since there are many perspectives that have
suggestions on how prayer effects health, the source for this
article would be biased. A special feature of this article is that
it reviews theoretical models of prayer and their effects on
health. The goal of this source is to enlighten people on the
effects of prayer. This article was very informative about the many
different effects that prayer has on health. This has helped me to
realize how powerful prayer really is.
Slide 20
Hollywell, C., & Walker, J., (2008). Private prayer as a
suitable intervention for hospitalized patients: a critical review
of the literature. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 18, 637-651. doi:
10.1111/j.1365- 2702.2008.02510.x Clare Hollywell, BN, RN, staff
Nurse and Missionary Nurse, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life
Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK. Jan Walker,
BSC, PhD, RN, RHV, C. Psychol, FHEA, Visiting Senior Research
Fellow, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences, University
of Southampton, Southampton, UK The focus of the research was to
collect evidence supporting the use of private prayer to improve
the wellbeing for adult hospitalized patients. One of the authors
initiated the study due to her commitment to religion and her
belief in the power of prayer. The research was conducted through a
review of literature following a systematic approach. Limitations
identified in the study were a lack of experimental research,
sample bias, and a theoretical framework model. The study, intended
for healthcare providers, identified evidence that there is a
positive association between prayer and wellbeing. A table
presenting the publications reviewed and their key findings are
included in the article.