The effects of brief prayer on the experience of forgiveness: An American and Indian comparison

Abstract

The present study offers a cross-cultural examination of the effect of prayer on forgiveness. American (n = 51) and Indian (n = 100) participants either prayed for their romantic partner (prayer condition) or described their romantic partner's physical attributes (control condition). Prayers were self-guided and lasted 3 minutes. Pre-test and post-test measures of retaliation were completed. Results showed that participants in the prayer group showed statistically significant decreases in retaliation motives from pre-test to post-test and the magnitude of this change was not different across cultures. Control groups in both cultures showed no change. Because of the religious diversity present in the Indian sample, the robustness of the effect of prayer on forgiveness was tested across Christian, Hindu and Muslim Indians. Religious affiliation did not moderate the effect of prayer on forgiveness in this sample. Results suggest that a brief prayer is capable of producing real change in forgiveness and this change is consistent across American and Indian cultures and across three different religious groups in India. Brief prayer for others that enhances forgiveness may be useful for individuals in close relationships, in certain counselling settings and for people in many different walks of life.

Exploring the Contributions of Grit and Personality in the Prediction of Self- and Other-Forgiveness

“…While religion (Rye & McCabe, 2014), empathy (Toussaint & Webb, 2005), prayer (Toussaint, Kamble, Marschall, & Duggi, 2016), and preexisting relational quality (McCullough et al, 1998) have been found to predict self- and other-forgiveness, the results of the current study demonstrate that grit also stands to meaningfully contribute to our understanding of this important, inter- and intra-personal experience. With a positive sense of self and meaningful interpersonal relationships being such fundamental psychological needs, and assuming that personal shortcomings and interpersonal conflicts are not likely to disappear, it would seem a worthy endeavor to understand the mechanisms through which authentic self- and other-forgiveness can be supported.…”

Handbook of Positive Psychology, Religion, and Spirituality

“…Vasiliauskas and McMinn (2013) conducted a randomized controlled trial with Christians (two experimental conditions: prayer or religious devotion). Participants who prayed for their offender increased empathy, religious commitment, and forgiveness the most (see also Toussaint et al, 2016). Those in the religious-devotion intervention reported less increased forgiveness than those in the prayer condition but more than those in the control condition.…”

The Scientific Study of Religion/Spirituality, Forgiveness, and Hope

“…Vasiliauskas and McMinn (2013) conducted a randomized controlled trial with Christians (two experimental conditions: prayer or religious devotion). Participants who prayed for their offender increased empathy, religious commitment, and forgiveness the most (see also Toussaint et al, 2016). Those in the religious-devotion intervention reported less increased forgiveness than those in the prayer condition but more than those in the control condition.…”