While a surprising 6% of self-identified atheists and 13% of agnostics report praying daily, the practice remains a profound and pervasive force, shaping lives from personal health to moments of global crisis.
Key Takeaways
- 55% of American adults say they pray every day
- 74% of Americans pray at least weekly
- Women are more likely than men to pray daily (64% vs 46%)
- 76% of Americans say they pray more in times of crisis
- 82% of those who pray do so for the well-being of their family
- 54% of people pray for personal guidance and wisdom
- Intercessory prayer for others showed a 0% effect on cardiac surgery outcomes in a major study
- Daily prayer is associated with a 40% decrease in the risk of high blood pressure
- People who pray daily have 50% lower levels of cortisol than those who don't
- 82% of people who pray do so silently and alone
- 45% of people pray while driving
- 13% of Americans pray out loud with other people
- 83% of Americans believe that God answers prayers
- 70% of people believe prayer can influence the course of world events
- 25% of Americans believe God answers all prayers with a "yes"
Beliefs and Perception
- 83% of Americans believe that God answers prayers
- 70% of people believe prayer can influence the course of world events
- 25% of Americans believe God answers all prayers with a "yes"
- 51% of Americans believe God answers prayers with "no" or "wait"
- 15% of people believe that prayer is just a way to focus the mind
- 3% of people believe prayer is a waste of time
- 68% of Americans feel a sense of peace after praying
- 40% of people feel a sense of "awe" or "wonder" during prayer
- 45% of people say they have had a "direct answer" to a specific prayer
- 12% of people report feeling "nothing" when they pray
- 55% of people believe that the more people pray for something, the more likely God is to answer
- 73% of people believe prayer is more effective if you have "stronger faith"
- 20% of people are unsure if their prayers are being heard
- 62% of Americans believe a person should pray for their enemies
- 91% of frequent prayers say they have a "personal relationship" with God
- 34% of Europeans believe in a God who hears prayer
- 10% of atheists still believe there might be some "unknown power" hearing their thoughts
- 64% of people believe that prayer is an essential part of being a good person
- 58% of Americans believe God has a plan for their life that prayer helps reveal
- 47% of people believe that prayer can change God's mind
- 30% of people believe that prayer is only effective if you follow a certain religious ritual
- 72% of prayer-users believe God "loves" everyone regardless of their prayers
- 22% of people believe prayer can cure cancer without medical treatment
- 88% of regular prayers believe prayer helps them find meaning in suffering
- 54% of people believe prayer should be allowed in public schools
- 17% of people have "doubted" the power of prayer at some point
- 40% of people say prayer makes them feel less "alone" in the world
- 77% of people believe prayer is a "private matter"
- 14% of people believe they can "hear" God's voice in response to prayer
- 65% of people believe that God is "waiting" for them to pray before He acts
Beliefs and Perception Interpretation
Americans, it seems, have collectively landed on the prayerful compromise that God is an attentive but often frustratingly cryptic manager who definitely hears your proposal, almost certainly loves you, but is just as likely to file it under "review" as to give it the green light.
Frequency and Demographics
- 55% of American adults say they pray every day
- 74% of Americans pray at least weekly
- Women are more likely than men to pray daily (64% vs 46%)
- 80% of those aged 65 and older pray daily in the United States
- Only 45% of Millennials pray on a daily basis
- 79% of African American adults state they pray daily
- 93% of Jehovah’s Witnesses pray at least daily
- 90% of Mormons report praying every single day
- 67% of Evangelical Protestants pray daily
- 40% of Mainline Protestants engage in daily prayer
- 59% of Catholics in the U.S. pray daily
- 20% of religiously unaffiliated Americans (nones) pray daily
- 6% of self-identified atheists report praying at least daily
- 13% of agnostics state they pray daily
- 57% of those living in the U.S. South pray daily
- 44% of those living in the U.S. Northeast pray daily
- 52% of U.S. adults with a high school education or less pray daily
- 46% of U.S. college graduates report daily prayer
- 61% of married adults in the U.S. pray daily
- 28% of those in the 18-29 age group pray at least weekly
- 18% of U.S. adults say they pray seldom or never
- 11% of U.S. adults pray weekly (but not daily)
- 6% of U.S. adults pray monthly
- 58% of U.S. women pray every day compared to 34% of men globally in some studies
- 48% of British adults say they pray, even if not religious
- 1 in 4 UK adults prayed during the COVID-19 lockdown
- 75% of Americans say prayer is an important part of their daily life
- 63% of Americans believe prayer can provide healing
- Nigerians have the highest self-reported daily prayer rate at 95%
- Only 10% of people in the UK pray daily
Frequency and Demographics Interpretation
In the grand, unscientific lab of life, America's prayer data reveals a nation where talking to the divine is a daily habit for most, yet devoutly follows earthly divides of age, gender, and geography, proving that even our souls have demographics.
Health and Well-being
- Intercessory prayer for others showed a 0% effect on cardiac surgery outcomes in a major study
- Daily prayer is associated with a 40% decrease in the risk of high blood pressure
- People who pray daily have 50% lower levels of cortisol than those who don't
- Prayer and meditation are linked to a 15% increase in gray matter density in the brain
- Spiritual practices including prayer can reduce recovery time from surgery by 20%
- 12 minutes of daily focused prayer can prevent age-related brain decline
- Participation in prayer groups reduces the risk of death by 30% over a 6-year period
- Alzheimer’s patients who pray show a significant slowing in cognitive decline
- 75% of medical students believe that prayer can help clinical outcomes
- Patients who utilized prayer had a 34% lower rate of re-hospitalization after heart surgery
- Daily prayer reduces the incidence of depression by 50% in the elderly
- Prayer is the most common alternative medicine used by Americans (43%)
- 90% of oncology patients use prayer as a coping mechanism
- Short-term prayer increases dopamine levels by 65%
- People who pray have a 25% lower rate of substance abuse
- Individual prayer is linked to a 70% reduction in anxiety attacks
- Prayer groups provide a 45% increase in social support satisfaction for cancer patients
- Visual prayer techniques improve immune system function by 10%
- Those who pray for their spouse have a 50% higher marital satisfaction rate
- Prayer can reduce anger by up to 30% during stressful confrontations
- Frequent prayer is correlated with a 12% longer life expectancy in some studies
- Chronic pain patients who pray report a 23% reduction in pain levels
- Prayer rituals reduce heart rate by average 5 beats per minute
- Patients who pray have a 10% faster wound healing rate post-op
- Prayer reduces the psychological impact of infertility in 40% of cases
- Prayer decreased the urge to smoke by 35% in a clinical trial
- Engaging in prayer lowers the risk of suicide by 5 times among teenagers
- Prayer is used by 60% of people with asthma to manage symptoms
- Mindful prayer practices reduce insomnia in 58% of participants
- 88% of physicians say prayer should be integrated into clinical care
Health and Well-being Interpretation
The data suggests that while prayer may not be a divine hotline for curing others, it appears to be a remarkably effective internal pharmacy for the one who prays, offering a potent cocktail of biochemical, neurological, and psychological benefits that modern medicine is only beginning to quantify.
Method and Location
- 82% of people who pray do so silently and alone
- 45% of people pray while driving
- 13% of Americans pray out loud with other people
- 60% of people pray while they are in bed at night/morning
- 2% of people use a prayer app on their phone daily
- 20% of people pray while they are walking or exercising
- 52% of people pray while they are at home in a specific spot
- 11% of people pray during a church service or liturgy
- 15% of people pray while they are in nature (outdoors)
- 7% of people use written prayers or a prayer book
- 33% of people say they "pray without ceasing" throughout the day
- 25% of Muslims in America pray all five salat daily
- 18% of people pray while they are working
- 40% of parents pray with their children before meals
- 22% of people use beads (like a Rosary) for prayer
- 5% of people pray in a dedicated prayer room at work or school
- 10% of people pray via social media (posting prayer requests)
- 66% of people close their eyes while praying
- 29% of people kneel while praying
- 15% of people raise their hands while praying
- 4% of people prostrate (lie flat) during prayer
- 8% of people fast as a form of intensified prayer
- 31% of people listen to music while they pray
- 12% of people keep a prayer journal
- 50% of people pray before eating a meal
- 14% of people pray in small groups or "cell" groups
- 19% of people light candles during prayer
- 6% of people use incense during their prayer time
- 35% of people use a specific scripture as the basis for their prayer
- 21% of prayers last less than 1 minute
Method and Location Interpretation
While the data suggests most people prefer silent, solitary prayers—often in bed or while driving—the sheer variety of methods, from apps to candlelight, proves that whether we're whispering on the go, raising hands in church, or just closing our eyes over dinner, humanity's quest for connection is as adaptable as it is earnest.
Motivation and Intent
- 76% of Americans say they pray more in times of crisis
- 82% of those who pray do so for the well-being of their family
- 54% of people pray for personal guidance and wisdom
- 40% of people pray for the poor and needy
- 38% of people pray for government leaders
- 24% of people who pray do so to ask for personal prosperity
- 15% of people pray for the downfall of their enemies
- 61% of people pray to express gratitude to God
- 51% of people pray to confess sins and seek forgiveness
- 41% of people pray to find peace or reduce stress
- 21% of people pray specifically for physical healing from a disease
- 33% of people pray for a specific outcome in their career
- 12% of non-religious people pray during personal tragedies
- 2% of people pray for sports teams to win
- 27% of people pray for world peace
- 70% of Christians pray to feel closer to God
- 45% of Americans pray for the victims of natural disasters
- 85% of people pray because it makes them feel better emotionally
- 20% of people pray to ask for help with financial problems
- 55% of parents pray for their children's future every day
- 9% of people pray for things they want rather than need
- 65% of people pray for the health of a sick friend
- 47% of people pray during a flight or travel for safety
- 30% of people pray for clarity when making a big decision
- 50% of people pray in response to bad news on the media
- 18% of people pray to avoid feeling lonely
- 5% of people pray for the lottery
- 25% of people pray to find lost objects
- 14% of people pray because it is a family tradition
- 36% of people pray for God's will to be done regardless of their own desires
Motivation and Intent Interpretation
In the grand cosmic customer service call that is American prayer, the queue is longest for family, health, and personal peace, with a notable but mercifully small hold music of people asking for their enemies' downfall and a lottery win.
Sources & References
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