ID No: _____________
Section I: Survey of Christian Prayer
Thank you for taking the time to fill out this survey! Be assured that your responses will remain completely
confidential and anonymous. This survey is divided into THREE main sections. Section I pertains to private
Christian prayer. This survey defines private Christian prayer as: Audible or mental prayer offered by
you alone to God alone (one to one). Excluded from this definition are prayers delivered with another
human being, in small group contexts (for example, with family, friends, Bible study participants, etc.) and
prayers offered in a large congregational setting where a single leader or various individuals pray for all to
hear. It is not necessary that you be completely alone during private prayer, though often this may be the case.
Please take your time. It is very important that you respond honestly according to your actual prayer
practices. With your help, we can better understand the characteristics and functions of private prayer for
different Christian faith-traditions.
1. How often do you pray privately? [check one only]
1.___Several or more times a day
2.___Twice a day
3.___Once a day
4.___Several times a week
5.___Once a week
6.___Less than once a week
2. How long does your TYPICAL private prayer last in MINUTES: ____. Don't Know/Can't say __ [check if correct]
3. How many times did you pray privately during the past seven days beginning with yesterday?
[check one only]
1.___Less than once a week
2.___Once a week
3.___Several times a week
4.___Once a day
5.___Twice a day
6.___Several or more times a day
Never Some Always
times
4. When I pray privately my hands are clasped together…...1 2 3 4 5 6 7
5. When I pray privately I kneel……………………………1 2 3 4 5 6 7
6. When I pray privately I sit……………………………….1 2 3 4 5 6 7
7. When I pray privately I stand……………………………1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8. When I pray privately I lay on my side/stomach/back/.....1 2 3 4 5 6 7
9. When I pray privately I close my eyes………………..…1 2 3 4 5 6 7
10. When I pray privately I lift my hands in the air………..1 2 3 4 5 6 7
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In this subsection of the survey we are interested in two communication behaviors associated with your
private prayers. We denote these activities as "talking to God" and "listening to God." By talking to God
we mean the verbal (audible) and/or mental messages communicated to God by you. We are not concerned
here with the content or substance of the messages. We are interested only with the activity of talk itself.
On the other hand, how one actively "listens to God" can vary for different people. For instance, you may
listen to God by "listening to or for God's voice," "being open to God's message," "reading from Scripture,"
"sensing God's presence," and "waiting in silence." Listening to God may mean some of these and/or
something else to you personally. In the space(s) below, please indicate how you personally listen to God
(up to 3). After this, circle the number indicating how often you listen to God in that particular way.
During my private prayer, I listen to God by (Never) Some Always
times
11. _______________________________________ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
12. _______________________________________ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
13. _______________________________________ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
14. ____ I don't listen to God when I pray privately. [check if correct]
When I pray privately I typically spend [sum to 100%]
15. _____% of the time audibly (or mentally) talking to God.
16.._____% of the time "listening" to God.
Some people begin their private prayers with a word or words that refer to God (ex: "Father," "Jesus," etc.). Please list
the word or words you use to refer to God MOST OFTEN when beginning your TYPICAL private prayer.
17. I begin my typical private prayer most often with the word(s) "_________________________________________"
18. ____ There is no consistent pattern of words I use to begin my private prayers. [check if correct]
Some people conclude their private prayers with the same or similar set of words (e.g., "Amen," "Thank you
God," "In Christ's Name, Amen", etc.) Please indicate the word or words you use MOST OFTEN to signal the
end of your TYPICAL private prayer.
19. I conclude my typical private prayer most often with the word(s) ______________________________________."
20. ____ There is no consistent pattern of words I use to conclude my private prayers. [check if correct]
During private prayer it is not uncommon to use certain words to refer to God. Please list any words or word
cominbations (up to 5) you use to refer to God during private prayer. For each word, indicate how often you use it by
circling the corresponding number.
(Never) Some Always
times
21. ____________ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
22. ____________ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
23. ____________ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
24. ____________ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
25. ____________ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
26. ____I don't use any words to refer to God during my private prayers. [check if correct]
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Directions: This brief subsection focuses on the substance of prayer when talking to God. Such prayers
include 1) adoration or praise (for example, praising God for who He is, his glory, majesty, compassion,
power, etc.) 2) confession or forgiveness (for example, confessing sins and/or asking for forgiveness for
things you have done/not done, are doing/not doing, and even might/might not do; 3) thanks or
thanksgiving (for example, thanking God for what He has done/is doing/will do; 4) self-petition (for
example, asking God for something or requesting God to do something in particular for you yourself,
including "making a deal" to obtain something in particular from God; 5) other-petition or intercession
(for example, asking God to do something for another individual, on their behalf; 6) seeking or
questioning (for example, without asking to do anything in particular, but seeking God's will, reason, or
purpose about something; questioning God about why something happened/did not happen, is
happening/not happening, or might/might not happen). Please circle the response that best fits your
private prayer practice.
Never Some Always
times
27. I Adore/Praise…….……………………..……………...1 2 3 4 5 6 7
28. I Confess/Ask Forgiveness……………………………..1 2 3 4 5 6 7
29. I Give Thanks…………………………..…..……….….1 2 3 4 5 6 7
30. I Ask for Things for Myself/Personal Petition………....1 2 3 4 5 6 7
31. I Ask for Things for Someone Else/Other Petition….…1 2 3 4 5 6 7
32. I Seek God's Purpose/Question God…………………...1 2 3 4 5 6 7
If you experience MULTIPLE TYPES of prayer during your TYPICAL private prayer, please list the order in which
they occur. More than one prayer type can be experienced in a sequence of prayers. Please limit your response to
a minimum of ONE and a maximum of SIX types of prayer for any given sequence.
Example 1: Confession Self-Petition Thanksgiving
Example 2: 1) Self-Petition Thanksgiving Seeking Other-Petition Thanksgiving
33. My typical prayer sequence is: ___________________________________________________________________
_________________________________
34. ____ There is no typical sequence I follow during my private prayers. [check if correct]
Directions: This subsection considers the features of and reasons for private prayer. For each survey question please
circle the response only that best matches your private prayer practices.
YES! = very strong agreement NO! = very strong disagreement
YES = strong agreement NO = strong disagreement
yes = agreement no = disagreement
? = neither agreement or disagreement
35. I often pray privately before interacting with someone of importance..NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
36. I do most of the talking during my private prayers.……….…………..NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
37. My private prayers help me to feel more confident when I think
I'm going to be around an important person…....……………………...NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
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38. Private prayer helps me to reduce my uncertainty about what
God wants me to do……..……………………………………….…...NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
39. After I meet someone important, I pray about them/the meeting.…....NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
40. Most of my private prayers are about different people………….……NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
41. Private prayer helps me clarify my thoughts and feelings
about myself…………………………………………………………..NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
42. I pray privately before entering a situation with someone
whom I knew would be evaluating me….…………………………....NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
43. Most of my private prayers are about the same individual.……..…...NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
44. Private prayer helps me to talk about feelings or problems I have
about myself……………………………………………..………...….NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
45. My private prayers tend to be on a lot of different topics…………….NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
46. Before important meetings, I often pray privately about them……….NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
47. Private prayer may be used to substitute or compensate for the
lack of real, face to face communication with another individual……NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
48. Private prayer helps me clarify my thoughts and feelings about God...NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
49. Private prayer helps keep my relationship with God alive……..…..…NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
50. Sometimes I imagine a conversation or meeting that I might have
with someone and then I pray about it……....…………………..……NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
51. Praying privately about someone can be used to substitute for
real conversations with them…….……………………..………..……NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
52. I often pray privately after interacting with someone of importance....NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
53. Before I meet someone important, I pray privately about
them/the meeting……………………………………………………....NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
54. Private prayer helps me to vent my feelings about another person…....NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
55. I use private prayer to talk to God about someone whom I have
a close bond with………………………………………………….…...NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
56. When I pray privately, God does the talking……………..……………NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
57. Sometimes I imagine a conversation or meeting I've already had
with someone and then I pray about it. ...………………………….…..NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
58. After important meetings, I frequently pray privately about them….....NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
59. I pray privately about many different people…..…………..………….NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
60. Private prayer helps me understand myself better…………..…..……..NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
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61. Private prayer helps me plan for upcoming encounters with
another individual…..……………………………………………..….NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
62. Sometimes I imagine a meeting I’ve had with someone and
then I pray privately about it………………………………......…..….NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
63. Private prayer helps me to relieve tension and stress…………..……...NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
64. Praying privately about someone substitutes for the absence
of real communication ………………………………………………..NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
65. I listen more than talk during my private prayers……………...……...NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
66. My private prayers are important in maintaining relationships
with my marriage partner or other close relationships with others……NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
67. I pray privately in preparation for a meeting with someone………..…NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
68. Private prayer helps me understand God better…………….……..…..NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
Directions: Different people have different TYPES of private prayer. Some of these types are as follows: 1)
Talk Prayer = only talking to God during the entire prayer; 2) Listen Prayer = only listening to God during
the entire prayer; Conversational Prayer = both talking and listening, dialoguing or having a conversation
with God; 3) Meditative Prayer = no talking, listening, or conversing with God, but rather concentrated
thinking about a spiritual principle such as love, forgiveness, mercy, truth, faith; 4) Contemplative Prayer =
silently experiencing the presence of God, but without actively talking, listening, conversing with God or
meditating on a spiritual principle; 5) Drifting Prayer = where you are doing NONE of the ABOVE and
where your thoughts or feelings drift from one place to another. With these types of prayer in mind, please
respond to the following items.
69. Which of the following types of private prayer have you (ever) experienced?
[check ALL THAT APPLY.]
1.___Talk prayer
2.___Listen prayer
3.___Conversational prayer
4.___Meditative prayer
5.___Contemplative prayer
6.___Drifting prayer
7.___Other (please specify): _____________________________________________________________.
70. Which of the following types of prayer do you typically experience?
[check ALL THAT APPLY.]
1.___Talk prayer
2.___Listen prayer
3.___Conversational prayer
4.___Meditative prayer
5.___Contemplative prayer
6.___Drifting prayer
7.___Other (please specify): _____________________________________________________________.
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If you experience MULTIPLE TYPES of prayer during a TYPICAL private prayer, please list the order in which
they occur. More than one prayer type can be experienced in a sequence of prayers. Please limit your response
to a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 4 types of prayer for your sequence.
Example 1: Contemplative
Example 2: Conversational Meditative Conversational
71. My typical prayer sequence is: _________________________________________________________________
_________________________________
72. ____ There is no typical sequence I follow during my private prayers. [check if correct]
Section II: Imagined Interactions
The second section of this survey concerns a communication activity known as Imagined Interactions.
Imagined interactions are mental interactions we have with human others who are not physically
present. People may have imagined conversations that occur in self-controlled daydreams or while the
mind wanders. Sometimes they may occur after a real interaction has taken place. Imagined interactions
may be brief or long. They may be ambiguous or detailed. They may address a number of topics or
examine one topic exclusively. The interactions may be one-sided where the person imagining the
discussion does most of the talking, or they may be more interactive where both persons take an active
part in the conversation. With your help we can better understand the functions of imagined interactions.
Directions: For each survey question please circle ONE response only.
YES! = very strong agreement NO! = very strong disagreement
YES = strong agreement NO = strong disagreement
Yes = agreement no = disagreement
? = neither agreement or disagreement
73. I have imagined interactions many times throughout the week……….NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
74. I often have imagined interactions before interacting with someone
of importance………………………………………………………….NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
75. Most of my imagined interactions are with different people…….……NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
76. I often have imagined interactions after interacting with someone
of importance………………………………………………………….NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
77. When I have imagined interactions, they tend to be detailed and……..NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
well developed.
78. I have recurrent imagined interactions with the same individual……...NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
79. After important meetings, I frequently imagine them………………....NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
80. Most of my imagined interactions are with the same person………….NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
81. My imagined interactions usually involve conflicts or arguments….…NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
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82. When I have imagined interactions, the other person talks a lot……...NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
83. I frequently have imagined interactions…………………………….....NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
84. After I meet someone important, I imagine my conversation
with them………………………………………………………………NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
85. I rarely imagine myself interacting with someone else……………..…NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
86. It is hard recalling the details of imagined interactions………………..NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
87. My imagined interactions are very specific……………………………NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
88. I talk a lot in my imagined interactions………………………………...NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
89. The other person dominates the conversation in
my imagined interactions……………………………………………….NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
90. Before important meetings, I frequently imagine them………………...NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
91. I have imagined interactions with many different people………………NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
92. I dominate the conversation in my imagined interactions………………NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
93. In my imagined interactions, I can"hear" what the other person says….NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
94. Before, I meet someone important, I imagine a conversation
with them………………………………..……………………………...NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
95. When I have an imagined interaction, I often have only a vague idea
of what the other says……...……………………………………………NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
96. The other person has a lot to say in my imagined interactions…………NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
97. My imagined interactions tend to be on a lot of different topics………NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
98. During my imagined interactions I tend to see and concentrate attention on [check one box only]:
Myself __:__:__:__:__:__:__ Other person
Both
99. My imagined interactions are:
1. ___ mostly verbal (e.g., they involve talking with little visual imagery)
2. ___mostly visual (e.g., little talking occurs)
3. ___are a mixture of verbal and visual
100. List some of the topics you recall discussing in some of your most recent imagined interactions.
101. Please indicate with whom you have most of your imagined interactions (e.g., husband, wife, relative,
etc.).
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102. My imagined interactions help me to actually talk about feelings
or problems later with the interaction partner……...……………….NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
103. My imagined interactions help me understand my partner better…..NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
104. My imagined interactions help me understand myself better……….NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
105. My imagined interactions help me in clarifying my thoughts and
feelings with the interaction partner…..……………………………..NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
106. My imagined interactions help me plan what I am going to
say for an anticipated encounter…..…………………………………NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
107. I have imagined interaction before entering a situation with
someone whom I knew would be evaluating me………………….....NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
108. My imagined interactions help me relieve tension and stress………..NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
109. My imagined interactions make me feel more confident when I
thought I was going to actually talk with the interaction partner…….NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
110. I have imagined interactions in order to practice what I am actually
going to say to the person……………………………………………..NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
111. My imagined interactions help me to reduce uncertainty about
the other's actions and behaviors……….………………………..……NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
112. I relive old arguments in my mind…………………………………….NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
113. It is sometimes hard to forget old arguments……………………..…...NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
114. Imagining talking to someone substitutes for the absence of
real communication…..………………………………………………..NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
115. I use imagined interactions to think about someone whom I have
a close bond with……………………………………………………....NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
116. Imagined interactions help keep human relationships alive………..….NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
117. I often cannot get negative imagined interactions “out of mind”
when I’m angry………..………………………………………………NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
118. Imagined interactions can be used to substitute for real
conversations with a person…………………………………………...NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
119. Imagined interactions sometimes help me manage conflict…………..NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
120. By thinking about important conversations, it helps relieve tension
or stress..………………………………………………………………NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
121. Imagined interactions may be used to compensate for the lack of
real, face-to-face communication……………………………………..NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
122. Imagined interactions are important in thinking about one’s
relational partner………………………………………………………NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!.
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Section III: Theological Orientation and Demographics
Almost done! The final section asks basic questions related to your view of religion generally as well as
several demographic items. For each item please check ONE RESPONSE only.
123. How often do you attend religious services?
1 Less than once a year
2 About once or twice a year
3 Several times a year
4 About once a month
5 2-3 times a month
6 Nearly every week
7 Every week
8 More than once a week
124. In the past seven days and starting with yesterday how many times have you attended religious
1 2 3 4 Several or more times
125. How often, if at all, do you read from the Bible?
1 every day
2 two to six days a week
3 once a week
4 a few times a month
5 a few times a year
6 less than a few times a year
126. What is your current church affiliation (which church do you attend most frequently)?
1 Disciples of Christ
2 Nondenominational
3 Presbyterian USA
4 Southern Baptist
5 United Methodist
6 Other: ____________________
7 Don't know/Can't say
127. How long have you attended your current church?
Years: _________ (If less than one year): ________ Months
128. What is your religious identity?
1 Baptist
2 Charismatic
3 Evangelical
4 Methodist
5 Presbyterian
6 Other (specify: __________________________________)
7 Don't Know/Can't say
129. How close do you feel to God most of the time?
1 2 Somewh 3 4 5 Don't know
130. Here are four statements about the Bible. Please indicate which is closest to your own view.
1 The Bible is God's Word and all it says is true.
2 The Bible was written by men inspired by God, but it contains some human errors.
3 The Bible is a good book because it was written by wise men, but God had nothing to do with it.
4 The Bible was written by men who lived so long ago that it is worth very little today.
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131. Has there ever been a turning point in your life when you made a new or first time commitment to
God/religion?
1 Yes
2 No
3 Don't know/Can't say
132. What is your race/ethnicity?
1 White/Caucasian
2 Black or African American
3 Hispanic or Latino
4 American Indian/Alaska Native
5 Native Hawaiian or Asian
6 Other
133. What is your highest level of education?
1 High school diploma or less
2 Some college or technical
3 College bachelors degree
4 Masters Degree
5 Doctoral Degree
134. Age in years:________.
135. Gender: 1 Male 2 Female
136 1 single 2 3 4 5 widowed
Special Section: In light of the recent attacks in New York and Washington D.C. please respond to the following
items.
137. I've prayed privately about the situation by asking God to
help the victims and/or their families..……………………………….NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
138. I've prayed privately about the situation by asking God to
forgive me…………………………………………………………….NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
139. I've prayed privately about the situation by asking God to punish……NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
the perpetrators
140. I've prayed privately about the situation by acknowledging God's……NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
judgment on America.
141. I've prayed privately about the situation by asking God to forgive…...NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
the perpetrators
142. I've prayed privately about the situation by questioning God
why or seeking God's purpose in it…………………………………..NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
143. (Other -- please specify) …by ___________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________…...NO! NO no ? yes YES YES!
Done! Thank you for your honest responses to this intriguing (and long) survey on Private Christian Prayer!
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