Most Americans do not exclusively depend on doctors and medications when experiencing health problems. A new study, published in the Journal of Religion and Health, found that almost 90 percent of Americans continue to believe in the power of prayer for healing.
The new study investigated the prevalence and religious predictors of healing prayer use among adults. It surveyed 1,714 random Americans and concluded that prayer for healing is one of the most commonly used forms of medical treatment among the respondents.
Prayer As A Form Of Medical Treatment
The study found that nearly nine out of 10 Americans have relied in prayer for healing when they or their loved ones experienced health problems. Turns out, 80 percent of them disclosed that they prayed for their own healing, while almost 90 percent claimed that they prayed for the healing of others.
Almost a third of those who prayed for their own healing admitted that they do so often. Meanwhile, more than half of those who prayed for the healing of others said that they do so regularly.
The study also discovered that over 50 percent of the respondents have joined in prayer groups to help themselves or others heal from health problems. Moreover, over a quarter of the respondents also admitted that they have practiced laying their hands on another person as a sign of relaying spiritual blessings.
Healing Prayer Lives On
Study author Jeff Levin, a professor of epidemiology and population health at Baylor University, told CNN that he was fascinated with the results. He said that he did not expect that a huge portion of the American population would still rely on prayer for healing.
"A lot of people may not be institutionally religious in the same ways they have been, but as far as their own private practices and beliefs, they are still very engaged," Levin said. "It still remains a very spiritually involved country one way or the other."
Levin, however, clarified that the study did not examine whether prayer can actually help in healing. He said that further research is needed to cover the matter.
Do you believe in the power of prayer for healing? Does it really help? Leave some comments below.
