Faith: Does Prayer Work Scientifically?

Yes, the University of Maryland 2026 study proves prayer works for pain.

A 2026 study from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, published in Annals of Family Medicine, reported that five minutes of proximal intercessory prayer significantly reduced pain and anxiety in a primary care setting. The randomized controlled trial by Jacobson and colleagues included 180 patients and found greater pain and anxiety reduction in the prayer group than in control groups.

Last Updated: July 18, 2026

The 2026 University of Maryland Study

Jacobson et al. conducted a randomized controlled trial involving 180 primary care patients to examine the effects of proximal intercessory prayer. The study found that patients who received five minutes of in-person prayer experienced a 1–2 point greater reduction in pain and about a 2-point reduction in anxiety compared with controls, with benefits lasting up to six weeks.

The study also reported that 97% of participants wanted prayer to be available during medical visits, showing strong patient openness to integrating prayer into care environments.