title: Prayer beliefs and change in life satisfaction over time.
abstract: A considerable number of studies have focused on the relationship between prayer, health, and well-being. But the influence of some types of prayer (e.g., petitionary prayer) has received more attention than others. The purpose of this study is to examine an overlooked aspect of prayer: trust-based prayer beliefs. People with this orientation believe that God knows that best way to answer a prayer and He selects the best time to provide an answer. Three main findings emerge from data that were provided by a nationwide longitudinal survey of older people reveals. First, the results reveal that Conservative Protestants are more likely to endorse trust-based prayer beliefs. Second, the findings suggest that these prayer beliefs tend to be reinforced through prayer groups and informal support from fellow church members. Third, the data indicate that stronger trust-based prayer beliefs are associated with a greater sense of life satisfaction over time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, USA. nkrause@umich.edu
authors.forename: Neal
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Krause
authors.forename: R David
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Hayward
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D033303:Protestantism / Q000523:psychology; D012067:Religion; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012944:Social Support; D035502:Trust / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data