Therapeutic Effects of Islamic Intercessory Prayer on Warts
- 337 Downloads
- 1 Citations
Abstract
The present study aimed to examine the therapeutic effects of Islamic intercessory prayer on warts. Forty-five participants who are mostly Muslims and infected with warts were randomized into three groups: Group-1 (uncertain, with intercessory prayer), Group-2 (uncertain, no intercessory prayer), and control group (informed, no intervention). Stress symptoms were also measured before and after prayer sessions for these three groups. The results revealed that there were no significant differences between the groups in terms of healing. Although participants believed in the therapeutic effects of prayer, when participants did not trust the intercessor, prayer had no effect on warts.
Keywords
Intercessory prayer Warts Trust in intercessor StressNotes
Acknowledgments
This research was supported by Ankara University Graduate School of Social Sciences.
References
- Aviles, J. M., Whelan, S. E., Hernke, D. A., Williams, B. A., Kenny, K. E., O’Fallon, W. M., et al. (2001). Intercessory prayer and cardiovascular disease progression in a coronary care unit population: A randomized controlled trial. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 76(12), 1192–1198.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
- Benson, H., Dusek, J. A., Sherwood, J. B., Lam, P., Bethea, C. F., Carpenter, W., et al. (2006). Study of the therapeutic effects of intercessory prayer (STEP) in cardiac bypass patients: A multicenter randomized trial of uncertainty and certainty of receiving intercessory prayer. American Heart Journal, 151(4), 934–942.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
- Breslin, M. J., & Lewis, C. (2008). Theoretical models of the nature of prayer and health: A review. Mental Health. Religion & Culture, 11(1), 9–21.Google Scholar
- Byrd, R. C. (1988). Positive therapeutic effects of intercessory prayer in a coronary care unit population. Southern Medical Journal, 81(7), 826–829.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
- Harkness, E. F., Abbot, N. C., & Ernst, E. (2000). A randomized trial of distant healing for skin warts. The American Journal of Medicine, 108(6), 448–452.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
- Harris, W. S., Gowda, M., Kolb, J. W., Strychacz, C. P., Vacek, J. L., Jones, P. G., et al. (1999). A randomized, controlled trial of the effects of remote, intercessory prayer on outcomes in patients admitted to the coronary care unit. Archives of Internal Medicine, 159, 2273–2278.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
- Hughes, C. E. (1997). Prayer and healing: A case study. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 15, 318–326.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
- Ikedo, F., Gangahar, D. M., Quader, M. A., & Smith, L. M. (2007). The effects of prayer, relaxation technique during general anesthesia on recovery outcomes following cardiac surgery. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 13, 85–94.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
- Inceer, B. B., & Day, A. (1999). Validity and reliability of Stress Audit Scale. Ege Journal of Medicine, 38(2), 81–85.Google Scholar
- Krucoff, M. W., Crater, S. W., Gallup, D., Blankenship, J. C., Cuffe, M., Guarneri, M., et al. (2005). Music, imagery, touch, and prayer as adjuncts to interventional cardiac care: The monitoring and actualisation of noetic trainings (MANTRA) II randomised study. The Lancet, 366, 211–217.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Kwan, S. S. (2007). Clinical efficacy of ritual healing and pastoral ministry. Pastoral Psychology, 55(6), 741–749.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Levin, J. S. (1996). How religion influences morbidity and health: Reflections on natural history, salutogenesis and host resistance. Social Science and Medicine, 43, 849–864.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
- Matthews, D. A., Marlowe, S. M., & MacNutt, F. S. (2000). Effects of intercessory prayer on patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Southern Medical Journal, 93(12), 1177–1186.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
- McCullough, M. E. (1995). Prayer and health: Conceptual issues, research review and research agenda. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 23, 15–29.Google Scholar
- Miller, L. H., Smith, A. D., & Mahler, B. L. (1988). The stress audit manual. Brookline: Bio-Behavioral Institute.Google Scholar
- O’laoire, S. (1997). An experimental study of the effects of distant, intercessory prayer on self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 3(6), 38–53.PubMedGoogle Scholar
- Palmer, R. F., Katerndahl, D., & Morgan-Kidd, J. (2004). A randomized trial of the effects of remote intercessory prayer: Interactions with personal beliefs on problem-specific outcomes and functional status. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 10(3), 434–448.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Sterry, W., Paus, R., & Burgdorf, W. (2006). Dermatology, Thieme Clinical Companions. New York: Thieme Clinical Companions.Google Scholar
- Tloczynski, J., & Fritzsch, S. (2002). Intercessory prayer in psychological well-being: Using a multiple baseline, across subjects design. Psychological Reports, 91, 731–741.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
- Walker, S. R., Tonigan, J. S., Miller, W. R., Corner, S., & Kahlich, L. (1997). Intercessory prayer in the treatment of alcohol abuse and dependence: A pilot investigation. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 3(6), 79–86.PubMedGoogle Scholar