Is prayer effective for calming death-related anxiety?
Many people facing the end of life turn to prayer as a way to find peace. Prayer involves talking to a higher power, often through words of thanks, requests for help, or quiet reflection. When death feels close, this practice can bring comfort by connecting someone to beliefs about an afterlife or divine care. Studies show mixed results, but some point to real benefits.
In one study from Turkey, researchers looked at 150 heart failure patients who were dealing with high levels of death anxiety. These patients scored higher on positive religious coping, which includes actions like prayer and seeking God’s support. The data showed a link: as death anxiety went up, so did their use of positive religious coping, with a statistical connection (r=0.237, p<0.01). Even after checking other factors, the link held (β=0.204, p=0.01). The team noted that in this Muslim group, faith practices like prayer helped them face fears of dying. You can read more in the full study via https://spiritualityandhealth.duke.edu/files/2025/09/CSTH-Newsletter_Oct_2025.pdf.
Scholars in other fields agree that religious and spiritual ideas, including prayer, can ease mortality anxiety. These ideas offer meaning and reduce worries about what comes after death. For example, beliefs in eternal life or a loving God provide a buffer against fear. This view comes from research on how rituals and faith tackle deep human concerns. Details appear in a PNAS article at https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2511006122.
Not every study finds prayer lowers anxiety right away. The Turkish research could not prove if prayer caused the calm or if anxious people just prayed more. Still, patients kept using it, suggesting it offered some relief over time. Heart patients often feel death is near, making their story relevant to anyone with similar fears.
Prayer works best when it fits a person’s beliefs. For believers, it slows racing thoughts and builds hope. Simple prayers, like repeating a short phrase or focusing on gratitude, can quiet the mind in minutes. Doctors sometimes suggest it alongside therapy for those near the end.
People try prayer because it feels personal and free. No special tools are needed, just a quiet spot and sincere words. Over time, regular practice may build resilience against death fears, much like exercise strengthens the body.
Sources
https://spiritualityandhealth.duke.edu/files/2025/09/CSTH-Newsletter_Oct_2025.pdf
https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2511006122
