What Part Does Prayer Play in Our Lives?

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Is the power of prayer real?

I grew up in a family of practicing Catholics. While I wouldn't characterize my parents as devout, we attended all required rituals and services—including Sunday Mass, regular confession, and the family participated in tithing. Beyond formal services, we also expressed our faith through prayer, primarily at mealtimes, before bed, and during crises. These prayers were often recited robotically, as if they were chores. However, the ones uttered during crises were more heartfelt—fox-hole prayer.

As I grew older, my prayer time became more authentic and sincere. Although I couldn't always pinpoint who I was praying to, I felt a sense that a Higher Power was listening. These experiences made me curious about how other Americans viewed prayer

In April 2023, Boston-based research firm City Square Associates conducted a survey exploring attitudes towards prayer. The study involved 1,800 Americans, and the findings were published on the website Prayer Wrap.

Lets take a look at some of the data:

• 61% of Americans pray
• The average American prays twice daily
• Those who do pray, do so for an average of 18 minutes a day

What are we praying for? Top 5 answers:

• For loved ones in time of crisis——76%
• For someone else who is ill——71%
• For others during a crisis—-68%
• When I am ill—-56%
• Before a trip or journey—-47%

When people pray, top 5 answers:

• Bedtime---55%
• Sunrise---50%
• Nighttime---45%
• Dinner----29%
• Tie--Afternoon and Breakfast---both 27%

Why Americans pray:

• The Connect with God--70%
• To feel les anxious or depressed--45%
• Find solutions to problems--41%

Lastly and possibly most importantly, of all Americans who have prayed in the last 12 months, 87% believe their prayers have been answered.

For the complete data from the survey click here.

What do you think?

Do you pray on a regular basis?

Have your prayers been answered?

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