ABSTRACT
Prayer is a "spiritual practice which establishes communication with a higher being and is the simple act of turning our mind and our heart to the sacred. It is an act central to the practice of most major world religions, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, etc. There is many published literature about religion, spirituality and healing. Although the relationship between prayer and health well established, researchers have much to learn. We still do not know about the prayer and difficulties people have in saying their prayers in hospital. The present study was conducted to explore patients' experiences of prayer in hospitals. Using qualitative method [content analysis], semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample of 33 patients drawn from hospitals affiliated to Ardabil University of Medical Sciences. The recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim. For data reduction, labeling Patients' experience of prayer in hospital and finding analytical codes, content analysis method were used. Following categories were identified in data analysis: barriers of saying prayer, facilities required for saying prayer, adjustment, outcomes of saying prayer in hospital and facilitating factors for prayer. Findings revealed that patients have problem in saying prayer as their main spiritual need, in hospitals. They unfortunately, do not receive any help in this regard. The study provides some recommendations for promoting the quality and quantity of saying prayer in hospital