The healing power of prayer and its implications for nursing

Prayer is widely acknowledged in both ancient and modern times as an intervention for alleviating illnesses and promoting good health. There is increasing attention on prayer in health care, in both popular and serious discourse. Advocates exalt the healing power of prayer in health care, while critics are sceptical about this claim and its healing potential is put down to coincidences or its placebo effect. Consequently, a variety of empirical studies have attempted to test its effect scientifically with no conclusive results. There is evidence to suggest that some patients and healthcare practitioners believe in the healing power of prayer. Nurses may be called upon to pray with or for patients as part of holistic care. This article sets out to explore the role of prayer in healing and its implications for nursing. To achieve this aim, this article provides a review of discourses and evidence on the power of prayer in healing. Its implications for nursing are highlighted with some suggestions on how to respond to patients' spiritual needs. It is concluded that, although the evidence on the healing power of spirituality is inconclusive, there are indications that it has potential for the health and wellbeing of both patients and nurses.