Praying Together and Staying Together: Couple Prayer and Trust

摘要

Three studies examine the relationship between prayer, unity, and trust. Study 1 (N 29) showed that praying for one's partner predicted objective ratings of trust. Study 2 (N 210) found a significant relationship between prayer with a partner and relationship trust. This relationship was mediated by couple unity. Study 3 (N 80) investigated the relationship documented in a 4-week, experimental study. Participants either prayed with and for their partner twice a week for 4 weeks, or were assigned to a positive interaction condition, in which they discussed positive news stories for the same time span. Prayer condition participants reported significantly more unity and trust for their partner than those in the positive interaction control group. Relational unity was again found to mediate the relationship between prayer and trust. These three studies are discussed in the context of an emerging literature on the relational implications of prayer.