Connecting with Self, God, and Others: The Relationship Between Mindful Awareness, Prayer, and Empathy Development

Abstract

The current research examines the relationship between mindfulness, prayer, and empathic understanding. Empathy has been shown to be a critical component of positive human interaction and interpersonal relationships. Amongst other qualities, it consists of awareness of one’s own emotions, sensitivity to the emotions of others, and unbiased perspective taking. Mindfulness is defined as the awareness that emerges through paying attention to the present moment in a nonjudgmental manner. Prayer has been shown to promote social sensitivity and reduce judgmental responses. Due to the similarity in function and outcome of mindfulness and prayer, it is thought that both may be used to foster empathy and promote prosocial interactions. The present study examines the relationship between self-reported levels of mindfulness and prayer fulfillment and five facets of empathy. Results: Mindfulness and prayer fulfillment were minimally related and appear to be discrete constructs as measured in the study. Mindfulness demonstrated a clear, positive relationship with empathy; prayer fulfillment did not significantly predict empathy, but the relationship was found using broader measures of spirituality. An unexpected distinction between relational prayer and self-focused prayer arose.