Prayer for Pain and Anxiety in a Primary Care Setting: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Studies of distant intercessory prayer as complementary medicine yield mixed results. We investigated commonly utilized proximal intercessory prayer (PIP) practices (ie, in-person prayer for another) used to treat pain and anxiety.

We recruited 180 participants from patients waiting for family medicine appointments. Enrollment for pain required scores of 4 or greater (in the past 7 days) on an 11 point (0 to 10) pain intensity numerical rating scale. Enrollment for anxiety required a score of 10 or greater on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale, regardless of diagnoses. After their appointments, participants received 5 minutes of either Christian PIP (90 individuals) from a trained volunteer prayer practitioner or music (control, 90 individuals). Questionnaires reassessed pain or anxiety immediately, and 2 and 6 weeks later.

Proximal intercessory prayer vs control group participants reported significantly larger (1 to 2 point) reductions in pain immediately and 2 weeks later, and larger (roughly 2 point) reductions in Likert anxiety immediately and GAD-7 at 2 and 6 weeks. Participants in both groups were well-matched, and predominantly Black, female, low-income, and Christian. Outcomes did not vary significantly by most demographic, baseline symptom, religious affiliation, healing prayer belief, or religious intensity measures. The main exception was that Black participants reported larger symptom reductions for pain and anxiety. Participants reported no adverse events. Most participants reported wanting future PIP opportunities along with medical visits.

Proximal intercessory prayer was safe, effective, and well-received as complementary treatment for pain and anxiety. Further studies are warranted. Proximal intercessory prayer may be a low-cost, non-pharmacologic, effective adjunct to standard care with particular relevance for underserved populations.