Examining the Ethics of Praying with Patients
Examining the Ethics of Praying With Patients “Nurses should reflect carefully about the meaning and purpose of prayer in the clinical setting before engaging in prayer with patients. ... 44) The ethics of prayer with patients in regards to respectful care of the patient and integrity of the nurse are relevant. ... 129) Some patients may desire prayer for comfort even if this is not what they would normally do. ... Attention to the vulnerability of patients and the variety of religious and spiritual backgrounds they may bring to the clinical setting raises some important questions. The ethical questions are not about whether or not good nursing care should include consideration of patients’ spiritual or religious values, including beliefs about prayer. Rather, the ethical questions focus on whether and how to include prayer in ways that is respectful of patients in the clinical setting. For example, if prayer is believed to be genuinely beneficial, should nurses go beyond offering to pray with patients and urge patients to engage in prayer? If patients are given the option of prayer, will those who reject prayer be likely to wonder how this will affect the rest of their care? What about patients whose religious practices differ greatly from those of their nurse? ... Finally, what should be done with patients’ requests for prayer if the nurse does not believe in prayer at all? What, if any, are the ethical responsibilities of nurses who are attuned to patients’ spiritual resources and who care for the spiritual needs of those who may benefit from prayer?