The 2023 American Prayer Wrap

Prayer
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Mindfulness
Affirmation
Meditation
PrayeR
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It’s happening in cars, cubicles and coffee shops across America.

Most of us communicate with a higher power, yet prayer is something few of us are comfortable talking about. The 2023 American Prayer Wrap uncovers the methods, motivations and myriad colors of our connection with the divine. Ready to explore?
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How America Connects To A Higher Power: Pray 61%, Meditate 39%, Practice mindfulness: 38%, Recite affirmations 20%, Practice spirtually-based yoga 14%, Some other way 3%, I don't do any such thing 15%
61% of Americans Pray
Your Prayers Are Heard - No matter how you believe. 84% of Praying Americans
Today in America Play Video
The Average American Prays 2x a Day *average for all US adults
Americans who pray average 18 minutes per day
List of prayers like a playlist on a music appPlay Video
When America Prays: 50% sunrise, 27% breakfast, 13% exercise, 20% before school/work, 25% commute, 27% afternoon, 16% chores, 25% while walking, 15% sunset, 29% dinner, 55% bedtime, 45% night
Who Americans Pray With: 94% By myself; 67% With my family; 61% With members of my religious or spiritual group; 50% Around my pets; 40% With my friends; 27% With strangers
Who Different Generations Pray With
Why do Americans pray? 70% to connect with God, 45% to feel less anxious or depressed, and 41% to find solutions to problems.
What do Americans pray for? Top 3 are: 76% for loved ones in crisis, 71% when someone else was ill, 68% for other people suffering in crisis
More Americans Pray For Another's Illness Than For Their Own
What Americans Are Praying For
Pray for our PetsPlay Video
Who Americans Pray For:
After they pray most Americans feel: calm, grateful, connected, optimistic, humbled, loving, motivated, focused, heard, inspired, guided, accepted, answered, empowered, energized, awe, chastised
Why Americans Pray
10% more Americans pray in their car than in a place of worship
1 in 4 Americans Pray in the Shower
Graph of prayers for National Day of Prayer
Where have you prayed in the past 12 months?
During Covid lockdowns, Americans changed how often they connect with a higher power. 51% connected more, 31% stayed the same, 16% less
Frequency of connecting to higher power during covid lockdown:
Frequency of connecting to higher power since COVID lockdown
Who's using objects while they pray? 22% Gen Z / Millennials. 6% Gen X / Boomers
Objects Americans Use in Prayer
Objects Americans Use In Prayer By Generations
Is it Okay to pray for your team to win?
6% of Americans have prayed for a Super Bowl victory
Americans who prayed for a sports team to win prayed for...
Who Would you rather pray with? Obi Wan 10%, Ben Solo 2%, Yoda 23%, Rey 5%, Han 3%, Leia 6%, Grogu 15%, Luke 4%, C-3PO 2%Play Video
Which Star Wars character would you rather meditate or pray with?
Do Americans' views of spirituality align with 'the force?'
GalaxyPlay Video
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About the Survey

The American Prayer Wrap is the result of a nationwide survey conducted in April 2023 by Boston-based research firm City Square Associates. Over 1,800 Americans participated in the study.
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