On not praying for the return of an amputated limb: Conserving a relationship with God as the primary function of prayer

Abstract

Prayer is commonplace at times of illness. But what do people pray for? After reviewing recent work in the cognitive science of religion, the authors argue that pray-ers preferentially ask for psychological as opposed to physical outcomes because these are easier to accommodate God's intervention in the healing process. The authors exemplify this argument with recent studies of illness-related prayer. The findings from this study accord with other studies which demonstrate that those who follow spiritual pathways engage in efforts to conserve their understanding of and their relationship with the sacred. Thus, the authors argue that prayers to God are designed to enhance human health and well-being in ways that conserve the sacred. Unanswered prayers in a health-related context then may elicit spiritual struggles and significant distress to patients. The authors conclude by discussing the implications of unanswered prayer and theodicy for psychotherapy, emphasizing the seminal work of Anna-Maria Rizzuto.

The role of religion and spirituality in mental health

“…To aid in compliance and better understand their patients, practitioners should take time to explore their concepts of illness and attempt a reconciliation with their patients' religious views. It is essential to provide a safe space for patients to express and explore their feelings, including anger toward God [57]. It is essential to provide a safe space for patients to express and explore their feelings, including anger toward God [57].…”

Understanding and addressing religion among people with mental illness

“…Psychologist and theologian P. Johnson captured this sentiment: “it is the ultimate Thou whom the religious person seeks most of all” . From this perspective, people grappling with serious illness are motivated to sustain themselves spiritually as well as psychologically, socially, and physically . Empirical studies have shown that people are generally quite successful in maintaining their faith in difficult times.…”

Personal Prayer in Patients Dealing with Chronic Illness: A Review of the Research Literature

“…Rezaei et al 2008). As Dein and Pargament suggest, prayers for psychological rather than physical changes may help people to avoid cognitive dissonance and continue to believe that God can, if he wants, intervene in the world [40]. For this reason, it is not surprising that prayers regarding disease management and decision-making were nearly as common as prayers for the disease itself.…”

“…This raises the question of whether researchers have turned a blind eye to these less pleasant aspects of prayer or whether they truly play a minor role for patients. One possible explanation is that patients are “just as invested in conserving/protecting the divine through their prayers as they are in conserving and protecting themselves” and are thus afraid to admit their frustration with God [40], maybe especially in the context of a clinical survey with its dynamics like social desirability and observers' effect. This may be due to “dogmatic expectations” (like in Islam; cf.…”