A tangible connection to the divine: An exploration of the power and utility of prayer objects

All around the world, people use prayer objects to increase feelings of closeness to God. In this paper we examined the psychological mechanism by which prayer objects operate. One hundred and thirty-six religious participants completed a contagion priming procedure by reading a series of contagious, or control, vignettes. After the task, participants completed a scale assessing the appeal of prayer objects that varied in contact with God through prayer. Additionally, we assessed participant’s trait-level contagion sensitivity at the end of the session. The data were analyzed three different ways to assess our hypotheses. The results indicated that people were more attracted to prayer objects that had been prayed on a lot, as compared to those that had never been prayed on. Additionally, a contagion prime increased interest in objects that had been prayed on a lot, but not other objects. Trait contagion sensitivity was positively associated with prayer objects that have been used many times, but not items that have never been used or other activities. In this study the hypothesis that prayer objects would take on the properties of God through psychological contagion was supported. This study provides an extension of the previous work by examining the role of prayer objects and the implications of their use utilizing psychological methodology. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for social connection, prayer, religion, health, and well-being.

All around the world, people use prayer objects to increase feelings of closeness to God. In this paper we examined the psychological mechanism by which prayer objects operate. One hundred and thirty-six religious participants completed a contagion priming procedure by reading a series of contagious, or control, vignettes. After the task, participants completed a scale assessing the appeal of prayer objects that varied in contact with God through prayer. Additionally, we assessed participant’s trait-level contagion sensitivity at the end of the session. The data were analyzed three different ways to assess our hypotheses. The results indicated that people were more attracted to prayer objects that had been prayed on a lot, as compared to those that had never been prayed on. Additionally, a contagion prime increased interest in objects that had been prayed on a lot, but not other objects. Trait contagion sensitivity was positively associated with prayer objects that have been used many times, but not items that have never been used or other activities. In this study the hypothesis that prayer objects would take on the properties of God through psychological contagion was supported. This study provides an extension of the previous work by examining the role of prayer objects and the implications of their use utilizing psychological methodology. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for social connection, prayer, religion, health, and well-being.