Are there demonstrable effects of distant intercessory prayer? A meta-analytic review

Masters, Kevin S.; Spielmans, Glen I.; Goodson, Jason T.

doi:10.1207/s15324796abm3201_3

Cited by 151 publications

(54 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Over the past decades, a number of researchers have tried to document the effects of prayer on the targets of prayer, a controversial research program that has predictably yielded very meager results (Masters, Spielmans, & Goodson, 2006). The present work indicates that prayer actually can have meaningful effects, but among a different group of individualsthose doing the praying.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 55%

“Pray for Those Who Mistreat You”: Effects of Prayer on Anger and Aggression

Bremner

Koole²,

Bushman

2011

Pers Soc Psychol Bull

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Although some religious teachings have been used to justify aggression, most religious teachings promote peace in human affairs. Three experiments tested the hypothesis that praying for others brings out the more peaceful side of religion by reducing anger and aggression after a provocation. In Experiment 1, praying for a stranger led provoked participants to report less anger than control participants who thought about a stranger. In Experiment 2, provoked participants who prayed for the person who angered them were less aggressive toward that person than were participants who thought about the person who angered them. In Experiment 3, provoked participants who prayed for a friend in need showed a less angry appraisal style than did people who thought about a friend in need. These results are consistent with recent evolutionary theories, which suggest that religious practices can promote cooperation among nonkin or in situations in which reciprocity is highly unlikely.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 55%

“Pray for Those Who Mistreat You”: Effects of Prayer on Anger and Aggression

Bremner

Koole²,

Bushman

2011

Pers Soc Psychol Bull

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show abstract

“…In such situations, a meta-analysis is commonly considered inappropriate (Higgins & Green, 2005). Although recognizing this limitation, earlier reviews in medicine have conducted meta-analyses to provide some type of qualitative measure of clinical effects (Astin et al, 2000;Masters et al, 2006). Consistent with this practice, a meta-analysis was performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis V. 2.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Titles and abstracts were reviewed and pertinent articles obtained. Major reviews of the spirituality and religion literature were also examined (Astin, Harkness, & Ernst, 2000;Halperin, 2001;Harris, Thoresen, McCullough, & Larson, 1999;Johnson, 2002;Koenig et al, 2001;Masters, Spielmans, & Goodson, 2006;Ramondetta & Sills, 2004;Tolson & Koenig, 2003;Townsend, Kladder, Ayele, & Mulligan, 2002). Potentially relevant articles were read and the reference sections examined for other studies that might be pertinent to the present review.…”

Section: Methods Search Protocolmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Systematic Review of the Empirical Literature on Intercessory Prayer

Hodge

2007

Research on Social Work Practice

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Perhaps surprisingly, many social workers appear to use intercessory prayer in direct practice settings. To help inform practitioners' use of this intervention, this article evaluates the empirical literature on the topic using the following three methods: (a) an individual assessment of each study, (b) an evaluation of intercessory prayer as an empirically supported intervention using criteria developed by Division 12 of the American Psychological Association (APA), and (c) a meta-analysis. Based on the Division 12 criteria, intercessory prayer was classified as an experimental intervention. Meta-analysis indicated small, but significant, effect sizes for the use of intercessory prayer (g = -.171, p = .015). The implications are discussed in light of the APA's Presidential Task Force on Evidence-based Practice.

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“…Among the many recent attempts to demonstrate the medical benefits of religious activity, the methodologically strongest seem to be studies of the effects of distant IP. There are several studies ranging from highly critical [116,117], to moderately positive [118][119][120] and highly positive [121,122].…”

Section: Cs Lewis Wrotementioning

confidence: 99%

Religious and Spiritual Biomarkers in Both Health and Disease

Kharitonov¹

2012

Religions

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Religious thought and spirituality can be considered as a part of natural human capacities. There is an exponential rise in clinical research in the relationship between religion, spirituality and positive health outcomes. Most of these studies, however, have been primarily descriptive, rather than explanatory, focusing on identifying their underlying mechanisms. Almost no attempts have been made to find novel methods to mirror and monitor positive, and possibly negative, reactions related to the local and general effects of religion and spirituality in healthy subjects and patients. As this area of interest is rather new, we propose to put forward a new hypothesis that effects of religion and spirituality can be objectively studied by various exhaled biomarkers, some of which have already been developed and tested in health and disease. The lungs are particularly well suited for this purpose, as we have easy access to exhaled air and thereby a possibility to develop methods that measure compounds directly released from them. This work is the first step in the convergence of medical and theological research by linking various biomarkers and physiological measures with indicators of individual belief systems, religiosity and spirituality.

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Are there demonstrable effects of distant intercessory prayer? A meta-analytic review

Cited by 151 publications

References 20 publications

“Pray for Those Who Mistreat You”: Effects of Prayer on Anger and Aggression

“Pray for Those Who Mistreat You”: Effects of Prayer on Anger and Aggression

A Systematic Review of the Empirical Literature on Intercessory Prayer

Religious and Spiritual Biomarkers in Both Health and Disease

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