Research on Intercessory Prayer: Theoretical and Methodological Considerations

The remote intercessory prayer, during the clinical evolution of patients with COVID -19, randomized double-blind clinical trial

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of intercessory prayer performed by a group of spiritual leaders on the health outcomes of hospitalized patients with Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection, specifically focusing on mortality and hospitalization rates.

DESIGN

This was a double-blinded, controlled, and randomized trial conducted at a private hospital in São Paulo, Brazil.

INTERVENTIONS

Both groups continued to receive their usual medical care in accordance with HCor Hospital's institutional patient care protocol for COVID-19 patients.

INTERVENTION

Both groups received their regular medical care according to HCor's institutional patient care protocol for COVID-19 patients. The intervention group, in addition to standard treatment, received intercessory prayers performed by a group of spiritual leaders.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality. Secondary endpoints included the need for mechanical ventilation during hospitalization, duration of mechanical ventilation, length of ICU stay, and length of hospital stay.

RESULTS

A total of 199 participants were randomly assigned to the groups. The primary outcome, in-hospital mortality, occurred in 8 out of 100 (8.0 %) patients in the intercessory prayer group and 8 out of 99 (8.1 %) patients in the control group (HR 0.86 [0.32 to 2.31]; p = 0.76). Additionally, there were no significant differences between the groups in terms of secondary outcomes.

CONCLUSION

The study found no evidence of an effect of intercessory prayer on the primary outcome of mortality or on the secondary outcomes of hospitalization time, ICU time, and mechanical ventilation time.

A Dutch Study of Remarkable Recoveries After Prayer: How to Deal with Uncertainties of Explanation

This article addresses cases of remarkable recoveries related to healing after prayer. We sought to investigate how people who experienced remarkable recoveries re-construct and give meaning to these experiences, and examine the role that epistemic frameworks available to them, play in this process. Basing ourselves on horizontal epistemology and using grounded theory, we conducted this qualitative empirical research in the Netherlands in 2016-2021. It draws on 14 in-depth interviews. These 14 cases were selected from a group of 27 cases, which were evaluated by a medical assessment team at the Amsterdam University Medical Centre. Each of the participants had experienced a remarkable recovery during or after prayer. The analysis of the interviews, which is based on the grounded theory approach, resulted in three overarching themes, placing possible explanations of the recoveries within (1) the medical discourse, (2) biographical discourse, and (3) a discourse of spiritual and religious transformation. Juxtaposition of these explanatory frameworks provides a way to understand better the transformative experience that underlies remarkable recoveries. Uncertainty regarding an explanation is a component of knowing and can facilitate a dialogue between various domains of knowledge.

Typologies and Meanings of Prayer Among Patients

Religion often aids patients, but critical questions arise concerning how patients approach issues regarding prayer. In-depth interviews suggest 12 key patient decisions and aspects of prayer-who prays, to whom (e.g., explicitly to "God" or not), for whom (for self or others), for what (e.g., for symptom reduction), when (regularly or only during crisis), where, what to say (pre-specified language or spontaneous), how consciously planned or not, with what expectations and outcomes, what to call it, and in what social contexts (e.g., how others view one's prayers). These data have implications for future research, clinical practice of physicians, nurses, chaplains, and other allied healthcare providers, and patient education.

Intercessory Rote Prayer, Life Longevity and the Mortality of Roman Catholic Bishops: An Exploratory Study

Based on a computational analysis of a large dataset, this study explores if there is a significant longevity effect of intercessory prayer for a named individual's well-being, if he receives a very high number of prayers per annum for an extended period. We relied on an observational cohort study, based on data from 1988 to 2018, including 857 Roman Catholic bishops, 500 Catholic priests, and 3038 male academics from six countries. We measured the covariance of the mean length of life, controlled for nationality. It was found that there is a main effect for occupation F(2, 4391) = 4.07, p = 0.017, η_p² = 0.002, with pairwise comparisons indicating significant differences between the mean life duration of bishops (M = 30,489) and of priests (M = 29,894), but none between the academic teachers (M = 30,147) and either of the other groups. A comparison analysis between bishops from the largest and the smallest dioceses showed no significant difference t(67.31) = 1.61, p = 0.11. The first analysis proved that bishops live longer than priests, but due to a marginal effect size this result should be treated with caution. No difference was found between the mean length of life of bishops from the largest and the smallest dioceses.

Exploration of Fatalism and Religiosity by Gender and Varying Levels of Engagement Among Mexican-American Adults of a Type 2 Diabetes Management Program

Objectives: Purpose of study is to explore the roles religiosity and fatalistic beliefs play in diabetes management among newly, currently, and long-term enrolled Mexican-American participants in a Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) chronic care management program.

Methods: In 2017, study participants (n = 15) completed a semi-structured interview in their preferred language (English or Spanish). Sample was stratified by amount of time individual had been enrolled as a participant of the Salud y Vida program: newly, currently, or long-term. Interviews assessed religious beliefs, beliefs concerning the cause(s) of diabetes, perceived relationship between religiosity and fatalistic beliefs with T2DM management, and the appropriateness of discussing such topics with a health professional. Interview responses were analyzed using ATLAS.ti 8.

Results: Themes identified included: perceived autonomy over diabetes prognosis, motivators for self-care, discussions of personal beliefs in the healthcare setting, and the church's role in diabetes management.

Conclusions: Among this sample, religiosity and religious fatalism played a complex role in coping with and managing diabetes. Long-term enrolled and male participants expressed beliefs of divine control over health, and a connection between religiosity and health behavior. Long-term enrolled participants felt religious and fatalistic beliefs may be suitable and beneficial to discuss in the healthcare setting.