Bridging Disciplinary Boundaries (January 11 - 14, 2007)

In spite of the controversial nature of the practice, studies indicate that most practitioners pray for their clients (Canda & Furman, 1999; Murdock, 2004). The widespread use of intercessory prayer in clinical settings implicitly raises questions about the effectiveness of prayer as an intervention strategy. Even in newly emergent areas, such as spirituality, the NASW Code of Ethics stipulates that practitioners should only employ interventions after conducting the necessary research to ensure the competence of their work. Consequently, this study explores the effectiveness of intercessory prayer as an intervention strategy. To obtain relevant studies, a key word search was conducted in Social Work Abstracts, PsycInfo, and Medline (latest years) using the term “prayer.” Titles and abstracts were reviewed and pertinent articles obtained. Potentially relevant articles were read and the reference sections examined for other studies that might be pertinent to the present review. Since the purpose of the review was to examine research capable of informing and guiding practice decisions, studies had to meet the following criteria to be included in the review: a) use intercessory prayer as an intervention, b) implement the intervention with a population of clients or patients and c) test the efficacy of the intervention, preferably using standardized measures and a double-blind randomized control trial (RCT) methodology. Conversely, studies were held to be outside the parameters of this review if they employed non-clinical/patient samples, featured less rigorous designs, such as single case studies, or non-random, voluntary assignment to control and treatment groups. Once relevant studies were identified, American Psychological Association (APA) protocols were used to categorize the interventions as well-established, probably efficacious, and experimental (Chambless & Ollendick, 2001). The results indicate that prayer does not meet APA criteria as either a well-established or probably efficacious intervention. Further, in approximately half the studies, prayer was associated with no positive improvement in the condition of clients. Although the mixed results suggest various interpretations, the use of prayer as an intervention clearly falls into the experimental category. Consequently, based upon APA protocols for evidence based practice, prayer cannot presently be considered an empirically validated intervention. If practitioners believe that intercessory prayer may be helpful, then the possibility of referral might be explored with clients. The findings also suggest that obtaining informed consent for private intercessory prayer may engender expectancy effects that foster negative client outcomes.

References

Canda, E. R., & Furman, L. D. (1999). Spiritual diversity in social work practice. New York: The Free Press. Chambless, D. L., & Ollendick, T. H. (2001). Empirically supported psychological interventions: Controversies and evidence. Annual Review of Psychology, 52, 685-716. Murdock, V. (2004, February 27- March 1). Religion and spirituality in gerontological social work practice: Results of a national survey. Paper presented at the Fiftieth annual program meeting of the Council on Social Work Education, Anaheim, CA.