There are many methods to impact healing. It is important to realize that not all of these methods involve medications and modern medical science. Traditional healing and prayer can truly impact the health of an individual in a beneficial way. However, these methods of healing are often not discussed in an open and productive manner. It is important that all methods of healing be considered for individuals. The placebo effect in medicine is well documented. This clearly establishes an important reality of health care: if a person truly believes in a treatment or in the power of prayer, they may offer tremendous benefits for the health of the individual. For these reasons, the power of these treatments should never be disregarded by the modern medical establishment.
In recent years, the value of traditional healing and prayer have become of increasing interest to the health care community. Since individuals undergoing medical care have varied belief systems, many of these individuals may wish to encompass traditional healing and prayer as part of their care. The individual may ask health care providers, such as nurses, to participate in prayers and other traditional methods. “Prayer is widely acknowledged in both ancient and modern times as an intervention for alleviating illness and promoting good health” (Narayanasamy and Narayanasamy 394). All major religions recognize the power of prayer, either as a means to communicate with a deity or as a means to cleanse the mind and impart peace to the individual.
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Many in the scientific community point out that prayer and traditional healing lacks evidence to support it. As the scientific and medical community continues to move towards evidence-based practice, the lack of evidence to support prayer is viewed as a significant detractor. However, it is important to recognize that there may be benefits to these types of healing even though the evidence is lacking. Since the placebo effect depends upon the level of belief that an individual possesses, health care providers should respect and appreciate the power of prayer for individuals.
While the evidence for prayer and traditional healing has been lacking, some groups have focused on ways to support prayer through scientific studies. These studies have focused on the qualitative evidence that may be available to support this healing method. An article by Mary Blaszko Helming examines this. The author recognizes that only in recent times has prayer been segregated to the realm of the church. This occurred as a result of Cartesian dualism. However, until this time, prayer and spirituality was integrated into the daily lives of individuals. The author also examines that many holistic nursing traditions, such as Caring Theory, emphasizes recognizing that all individuals share a level of connectedness. This is reminiscent of prayer and many spiritual traditions. In her study, the author explains that many individuals strongly believe that healing prayer cured them of various ailments, from clinical depression to infertility to pneumonia. These individuals struggled with a number of medical complaints and do not believe modern medicine was of benefit to them. Rather, they turned to the traditional healing of prayer as a means to overcome their medical conditions. They strongly believe that prayer was what helped them overcome their illnesses (Helming 38).
Since many individuals strongly believe in the healing power of prayer as a traditional method, science and medicine should not negate them as treatments. Obviously, it is important that prayer be incorporated into modern medicine. One should not replace the other. Instead, healing prayer and traditional therapies should be used in conjunction with modern medicine. Health care professionals should respect the individual beliefs of patients and allow these methods. In addition, when asked, they should respectfully engage in prayer with their patients.
- Helming, Mary Blaszko. “Healing Through Prayer: A Qualitative Study.” Holistic Nursing Practice 25.1 (2011): 33-44.
- Narayanasamy, Aru, and Mani Narayanasamy. “The healing power of prayer and its implications for nursing.” British Journal of Nursing 17.6 (2008): 394-404.
