Can prayer ease the transition into palliative care? Yes, many studies and patient experiences show that prayer can bring comfort, reduce anxiety, and help people feel more at peace when moving into palliative care, which focuses on easing suffering for those with serious illnesses.
Palliative care helps patients and families deal with the physical, emotional, and spiritual sides of terminal illness. For many, spirituality plays a big role, and prayer is a key part of that. A review of research found that spirituality is a cornerstone of good palliative care, yet doctors often overlook it even though patients want it addressed. This study looked at doctors’ views and found that values shape how they handle spiritual needs, like prayer, in end-of-life settings. For example, one project in Belgium used a tool called the Ars Moriendi Model to assess spiritual needs at home, and healthcare workers reported it helped them connect better with patients through prayer and reflection.
Prayer works by calming the mind and body. Harvard doctor Herbert Benson called this the relaxation response, where just 10 to 20 minutes of quiet prayer or focus can slow your heart rate, cut anxiety, and lessen pain. Recent studies back this up. One from BMC Palliative Care in 2025 showed that adding spiritual practices like prayer into care boosts well-being, builds resilience, improves quality of life, and even shortens hospital stays. Another in JAMA Network from 2024 found that spiritual support, including prayer, brings more peace and satisfaction to those with serious illnesses. A 2025 study in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management noted that 91 percent of people with faith say it helps them cope with illness.
Doctors and nurses see prayer ease the shift to palliative care firsthand. In training programs, like one in the US followed for eight years, family doctors learned to talk about faith and prayer with patients. They reported deeper trust and better care decisions. An essay on doctor-patient prayer at life’s end highlighted that 80 percent of interactions involving prayer improved emotional bonds. Tools like FICA help start these talks: Faith (what gives life meaning?), Importance (how does it help cope?), Community (who supports you?), and Action (what practices like prayer do you do?). Simple habits, such as daily prayer, noticing beauty, or forgiveness prayers like “I am sorry, forgive me, thank you, I love you,” can release emotional weight.
Patients often say prayer makes the unknown less scary. It connects them to something bigger, whether God, loved ones gone before, or inner strength. In home-based care, nurses and doctors who pray with families report fewer tense moments during transitions. Research stresses addressing the whole person, body and spirit, for true relief. While not every doctor prays, respecting a patient’s prayer life opens doors to comfort.
Sources
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12699817/
https://davidoyermd.com/spirituality-in-medicine-rediscovering-an-ancient-dimension-of-healing/
https://www.okstatemedicalproceedings.com/index.php/OSMP/article/view/274/657
