Five-Minute In-Person Prayer Improves Pain, Anxiety in New Study

Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine tested a five-minute in-person prayer (proximal intercessory prayer, PIP) on patients with pain or anxiety. Recipients reported immediate relief; pain relief lasted two weeks but faded after six weeks, while anxiety relief persisted. A control group hearing soft music showed no comparable improvement.

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Prayer is the most common complementary therapy cited by U.S. adults; 43 % say they want in-person prayer during medical care. Earlier studies have linked Christian-style in-person prayer to unexplained recoveries from conditions such as gastroparesis and seizures. The present study narrows focus to proximal prayer rather than distant prayer.

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• Intervention: 5-minute PIP delivered by an intercessor in the same room.

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• Pain: Immediate relief; effect sustained at 2 weeks, declined after 6 weeks.

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• Anxiety: Immediate relief with ongoing benefit.

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• Control: Soft music; no significant improvement.

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• Patient preference: 97 % support offering PIP in future visits; no adverse events reported.

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• Public interest: 43 % of Americans desire in-person prayer in health care.

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The authors state that a brief, five-minute PIP can be added to primary-care practice as a complementary aid to medication, meeting patient demand for spiritual care. A Psychology Today article referenced by the researchers notes that accumulated research shows a modest but positive link between prayer and mental-health outcomes.

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The study notes pain relief waned after six weeks, indicating limited durability. Anxiety benefit duration is not quantified. Sample size, participant demographics, and long-term follow-up beyond six weeks are not disclosed, leaving uncertainties about broader applicability.

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• “petitioning God in the name of Jesus by power of the Holy Spirit, commanding healing by Jesus's authority, while an intercessor gently lays hands on the recipient for approximately 5 minutes.” — Study citation

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• “The study concludes, "The results suggest significant benefits to patients from a 5-minute PIP intervention that could be implemented in primary care offices, providing relief for pain or anxiety or both while addressing unmet patient need and desire for spiritual care.” — Study conclusion

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• “The amassed research indicates that prayer is modestly but positively correlated with a range of mental health outcomes," according to an article published in December 2019 in Psychology Today.” — Psychology Today

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The study suggests that primary-care offices could incorporate a five-minute PIP as a complementary aid to medication, addressing patient desire for spiritual care and providing relief for pain and anxiety.

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