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The Sociology of Prayer: Dimensions and Mechanisms

Author

Listed:
  • Paul Froese

    (Department of Sociology, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97326, Waco, TX 76798, USA)

  • Rory Jones

    (Department of Sociology, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97326, Waco, TX 76798, USA)

Abstract

The sociology of prayer has a long history and routinely stresses the centrality of prayer to religious belief and ritual solidarity. Still, we have struggled to clearly define the parameters of prayer and the various components of this ubiquitous practice. Drawing from a comprehensive literature review of prayer research, we propose that there are four conceptually distinct dimensions of the private prayer experience which vary across religious cultures and traditions; they are (1) the quantity of prayer, (2) the style of prayer, (3) the purpose of prayer, and (4) prayer targets . Our proposed measures of these dimensions offer researchers a framework to better theorize and investigate the social mechanisms which produce variation in prayer as well as the individual and social outcomes of prayer. In particular, we discuss how each prayer dimension fits within specific theoretical framings to better test the extent to which the emotional, rational, and behavioral elements matter to prayer outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul Froese & Rory Jones, 2021. "The Sociology of Prayer: Dimensions and Mechanisms," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-18, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:10:y:2021:i:1:p:15-:d:477965
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Samuel Stroope & Scott Draper & Andrew Whitehead, 2013. "Images of a Loving God and Sense of Meaning in Life," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 111(1), pages 25-44, March.
    2. Christopher Einolf, 2013. "Daily Spiritual Experiences and Prosocial Behavior," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 110(1), pages 71-87, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ahmet Ekici & Forrest Watson, 2022. "A model of consumer life‐satisfaction amidst the COVID‐19 pandemic: Evidence and policy implications," Journal of Consumer Affairs, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 56(1), pages 158-179, March.

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