Prayer in people with cancer

The purpose of this study was to adapt an instrument to assess prayer activities, experiences, and attitudes for people with cancer. A cross-sectional correlational research design was used to study 32 adults (24 women and 8 men) at 3 urban oncology and 2 radiation clinics. The prayer scale was adapted for people with cancer by the author, reviewed by measurement and content experts, and tested by administration to 32 people with a variety of cancers. Expert review supported the content validity of the adapted instrument. Instrument subscales had acceptable reliability for internal consistency. The 3 prayer scale subscales were moderately correlated to perceived relationship with God. Results demonstrated that high scores on the frequency of prayer subscale were associated with low levels of education and functional status and high presence of metastasis at diagnosis. Reports of more prayer activity were related to low levels of functional status. Additionally, those reporting low levels of physical health status had more prayer experiences. The prayer scale is a sensitive instrument for assessing prayer activities, experiences, and attitudes of people with cancer. Prayer is a valuable internal resource, which can lessen the effect of cancer.