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The Power of Prayer in Transforming Individuals and Marital Relationships: A Qualitative Examination of Christian, Jewish, and Muslim Families

  • Original Paper
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Review of Religious Research

Abstract

Prayer is a widely practiced religious behavior. Research has associated prayer with various physical, psychological, and relational benefits. This study used in-depth, interview-based qualitative methods to explore how prayer may foster improvement in married individuals as well as in couples’ relationships in a richly diverse sample of 184 religious couples (N = 368 individuals). Qualitative data analyses revealed the following related themes: (a) prayer is a catalyst for change; (b) prayer facilitates humility and positivity; (c) prayer facilitates communication and understanding among couples; and (d) prayer unifies couples and helps in resolving conflict. Illustrative and supportive primary data are presented in connection with each theme. Implications of the findings are discussed.

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Notes

  1. There were 111 Christian families (including Catholic, Mainstream Protestant, Evangelical Protestant, Orthodox, and New Christian Religious Traditions), 31 Jewish families (including Hasidic, Orthodox, Conservative, and Reformed Traditions), 22 Mormon (also called Latter-day Saint or LDS) families, and 20 Muslim families.

  2. All participant names are pseudonyms.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA

    T. G. Hatch, L. D. Marks, E. A. Bitah, M. Lawrence, D. C. Dollahite & B. P. Hardy

  2. University of South Pacific, Suva, Fiji Islands

    N. M. Lambert

Authors
  1. T. G. Hatch
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  2. L. D. Marks
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  3. E. A. Bitah
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  4. M. Lawrence
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  5. N. M. Lambert
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  6. D. C. Dollahite
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  7. B. P. Hardy
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Correspondence to T. G. Hatch.

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Hatch, T.G., Marks, L.D., Bitah, E.A. et al. The Power of Prayer in Transforming Individuals and Marital Relationships: A Qualitative Examination of Christian, Jewish, and Muslim Families. Rev Relig Res 58, 27–46 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13644-015-0236-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13644-015-0236-z

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