New Study Reveals 9 out of 10 Americans Pray for Healing

A new study revealed that nine out of 10 Americans have turned to God in prayer for personal healing or for the healing of loved ones.

Christian Today reports that the new study, conducted by the Institute for Studies of Religion at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, revealed that many Americans believe prayer to be an important component of the healing process.

“Outside of belief in God, there may be no more ubiquitous religious expression in the U.S. than use of healing prayer," stated lead researcher of the study Jeff Levin.

“The most surprising finding is that more than a quarter of all Americans have practiced laying on of hands — and nearly one in five has done so on multiple occasions," Levin added, as quoted by Newsmax.

The study said that 75 percent of Americans have prayed for personal healing, with nearly a third reporting that they do this often. An even higher number--90 percent--say they have prayed for the healing of others, with more than half saying they often do so.

Levin said research revealed that the people who report praying for healing are those who love God and feel close to him, although they aren’t necessarily those who attend church often.

"These people are taking to heart the biblical call to 'love your neighbor as yourself,' something found in both the Old and New Testaments," he said.

Although the study did not ask those surveyed whether their prayers proved effective, medical professionals have vouched for the effectiveness of prayer to heal:

"We've seen miraculous healings in the office, cancers disappear and almost any disease you can think of, we've prayed for and have seen the power of God and miracles happen," nationally recognized cardiologist Dr. Chauncey Crandall told CBN News.

Publication date: April 20, 2016