Two different types of prayer are directed and nondirected. In directed prayer, the
praying person asks for a specific outcome, such as for the cancer to go away or for
the baby to be born healthy. In contrast, in nondirected prayer, no specific outcome
is asked. The praying person simply asks for the best thing to occur in a given situa-
tion. Studies show that both approaches are effective in promoting health.
Prayer can also be described according to form. Colloquial prayer is an informal talk
with God, as if one were talking to a good friend. Petitional prayer or intercessory
prayer is asking God for things for oneself or others. The focus is on what God can
provide. Intercessory prayer is often called “distant” prayer, because the person
being prayed for is often remote from the person who is praying. This form of prayer
is of current interest to researchers. Ritual prayer is the use of formal prayers or ritu-
als such as prayers from a prayer book or in the Jewish siddur, or the Catholic prac-
tice of saying the rosary. Meditative prayer, also known as contemplative prayer, is
similar to meditation and is a process of focusing the mind on an aspect of God for
a period of time.
Surveys by USA Today Weekendand Timeindicate that nearly two out of three
Americans would like their physicians to address spiritual issues and to pray with
them, if they so request. In a study of people who were hospitalized, more than 75%
believed that their physician should address spiritual issues as a part of their med-
ical care. Not only did they want them to discuss these issues, but nearly half
wanted their physician to pray with them. Unfortunately, these same clients reported
that spirituality and religion were hardly ever addressed, less than 1% of the time, as
part of their medical care.
Of course, some nurses and physicians do incorporate faith and prayer into their
care. Dr. Alijani, a faculty member at Georgetown University Medical School and a
well-known surgeon, believes that faith plays a significant role in his patient’s well-
being. He sees prayer as the literal lifeline between health and spirituality: “Just as
my body needs water, carbohydrates, protein, and lipids, my mind needs Allah, and
the only way to receive Allah is to pray.”
Why is it that some doctors and nurses do not incorporate faith and prayer into
their professional practice? Some are unaware of the research data regarding the
faith factor. That situation is beginning to change as schools of nursing develop
courses to teach students about the faith-health connection. Some have been told
specifically that they are not to mix nursing and faith. This recommendation was
made out of a concern that they might blur the professional-personal boundaries
and cause harm to patients.
Health care practitioners are not meant to replace clergy. The roles are distinct.
Although many patients may want their spiritual needs addressed by nurses and
physicians, others do not, preferring to have these issues addressed by clergy. The
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