Prayer in Cancer

What the Patients Said

Authors

  • Gregory Brown University of Divinity
  • Jim de Jong Uniting Church Australia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/hscc.37067

Keywords:

Cancer, prayer, well-being, storytelling, grounded theory, qualitative data analysis, practical theology

Abstract

How do cancer patients pray? This article presents research into what was found within stories published by 160 cancer patients. A grounded theory methodology was used for this study. Almost equal numbers of men and women provided evidence of praying. A positive association of prayer with well-being was found. Some cancer patients utilized poetry or scripture or meditation. Others used petitionary prayer, for others it was intercessory prayer. However, thanksgiving prayer was the most common form. Women were found more likely to thank their friends whereas men thanked their families.

Author Biographies

  • Gregory Brown, University of Divinity

    Gregory Brown is an Honorary Research Associate at the University of Divinity, Victoria, Australia.

  • Jim de Jong, Uniting Church Australia

    Jim de Jong is a lay preacher with the Uniting Church Australia. His research draws on his practice of medical radiations science and pastoral care.

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Published

2020-10-06

How to Cite

Brown, G., & de Jong, J. (2020). Prayer in Cancer: What the Patients Said. Health and Social Care Chaplaincy, 8(1), 27-43. https://doi.org/10.1558/hscc.37067