Would You Pray if your Patient asked?

Nurses General Nursing

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If a patient asked you to pray with or for them at the bedside, would you?

I had this discussion with some other nurses and the responses were interesting. Some said they would have no problem, others said it was too personal a request for a patient to ask, and others said they would call the chaplain as they felt it is a chaplain function only.

I witnessed one occurence where a patient asked his nurse to pray with him. Without hesistation, she took his hand and prayed a very nice non-denominational prayer. I realize not everyone can or might not want to do this, but it really brought solace to that patient.

Your thoughts?

Yes, that is part of your job as a nurse, to help your patients, and faith is very important to many people. I would have no problem praying for them. But I guess that is not completely true, I wouldn't feel comfortable praying to a "false" god, I could pray, but only to my God, but I would pray for them.

Yes, I would pray for my patients. I think it is appropriate to even ask if they would like prayer----after being with them and assessing their needs.

I was so fortunate to take a 15 week class in school entitled, "Spirituality in Nursing". Helped me to clarify my own beliefs in the context of nursing and to respect those beliefs so very different than mine( Respecting the patient without sacrificing my own belief system).

Randall

How do you get asked to pray? Do patients grab your arm and ask you to say the "OUR FATHER" and "HAIL MARY" with them? I can just imagine some patient bullying staff to pray. What if your job forbid you to pray?

That's easy, Mario. I'd quit the job.

Originally posted by micro

:eek:

omgicer!!!!!!!!!!!!!

aacchhoo!

micro

.............

Never forget all, just how important we are in what we do and in who we are ............. and for the call and the drive that each of you had to bring you to this field, cause it surely isn't an easy one............

but oh, so important.........

p.s. sometimes a prayer is a shared tear, just an ear, a shared laugh or a goofy face at just the right time.............(i.e. an understanding above what is seen always.......as what is right in front of us is sometimes just not that great for many of our patients)

for our patients, ourselves and each other.............

Sorry all, I quote myself.........no I am not sorry.....i think the above is pretty wise.....even if micro says so microself.....

Mario,

sometimes they do and sometimes they don't ask out and out if you will pray.........

usually they don't.........but that is where my point of opinion above comes in.....

Randall,

you make a great point, spirituality in nursing is vital.......being comfortable with what you believe in is also very vital.........

To others here,

I truly and honestly respect your saying that you feel that by being Christian that it is your duty and etc. to pray with your patients,

but that you would have difficulty in praying to any other god other than.............

I so believe in your opinions and right to them.............

but here is mine.........

efiebke said it once and more.......if i was born in .......then i would be .........thx efiebke...for letting me quote you here.........without your informed consent

anyway back to my opinion.........just borrowing from the wise here on these threads.....

prayer is a word=websters dictionary and translation........

to micro here.........prayer to me elicits the need and doing of holistic nursing=being and seeing the whole person, not just the lab values and the vital signs and the lung sounds........

Do I or have I have I specifically prayed a religious prayer for a patient when asked.......yes, but actually very few times.....

truly I do not feel that that specificity is an actual legal duty of my nursing job.........and also I would not pray without understanding that THIS IS MY PATIENTS PRAYER, not my belief system prayer.....

but time doesn't always dictate calling in someone else.....so you hold the football and punt somedays.........

their god is their god,

my god or lack of a god is mine to have also.........

but when i punch the timeclock...........

but my patients right and needs to be met are truly there and are my responsibility as a nurse to attempt to help be met.........by myself, other teammembers, pastoral care, etc..........usually it involves the whole team having the whole philosophy and everyone believing and practicing holistic care...

i rant and rave on too much.........thx all for listening.......

now i close here with what a wise person once said a few times

You just can't discuss sex, politics and religion.....

goodday'

Originally posted by teeituptom

Howdy yall

from deep in the heart of texas

I fthey asked I would be glad to pray for them, or with them, whatever made them happy. It just might help, and it certainly doesnt hurt a bit.

Keep it in the short grass yall

teeituptom

and now to all a good night and many days............:stone ;) :D :p :eek: :cool:

Yes I would pray for, or, with a patient and have done so. Nursing is not about just the body, but the spiritual health of our patients. We have a obligation to minister to all our patients needs. Being a nurse is a ministry as important as being a minister. Our patient are looking to us for their care and that means ALL facets of their care. Jesus never asked someone what there religion was before He healed them.

yes, was requested to and didn't even think twice about it. was the very least i could do for another.

I would pray with a patient who requested it without thinking twice. Prayer in an amazing, powerful thing!

As an athiest I would not even know where to begin. I have never prayed. but I surely respect the power of faith!

-Russell

For a pt. to even trust us enough to ask to pray, is one of the biggest compliments we could ever receive. I have prayed many times with pt's, and pt's family. I have prayed over pt's dying, asking God to please take them on, instead of letting them suffer. The greatest honor I have performed as a nurse is to pray and help alleviate the fear from dying. I now work at a convalescent center, where the last stage of living happens, (death.) Sometimes all it takes it to say aloud, "Dear God, help me today, work through my heart and my hands. Thank you for entrusting me with the knowledge to take care of (pt's name.) Amen. *You can pray that silently before any pt. ask you to pray.

Because, don't we all need that?

Originally posted by Rustyhammer

As an athiest I would not even know where to begin. I have never prayed. but I surely respect the power of faith!

-Russell

rustyhammer,

you sound like a very caring person

if your belief system is atheism.......i respect that

if you want to pray with your patient(s).........you will be able to.......it is not that you have to actively seek out opportunities,

in nursing we are in such personal spaces with our patients and their "families" that just by being yourself and offering the right word at the right time, or just a smile, or just a ............

prayer can be specific as in a specific religion or belief system,

but i humbly feel that in nursing, at least for myself, it is just a way of being and caring...........

micro

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