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The effects of prayer on organizational life: A phenomenological study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 February 2015

Anselmo Ferreira Vasconcelos
Anselmo Ferreira Vasconcelos*
Affiliation:
Independent Marketing and Management Consultant, Pontifical Catholic University, São Paulo, Brazil
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Abstract

There is substantial evidence showing that it is not uncommon for workers to face, for example, unfriendly relationships, poor organizational climate, and aggressive bosses in their work settings. While self-help readings, relaxation exercises, yoga, mentalization therapies and psychological counseling help to address workers' reactions, this paper focuses on prayer and its effects, through a phenomenological study. The results indicate that the sample members usually pray everyday and/or many times during the day. The majority of them seek for some form of celestial support, like to express gratitude to some deity, and believe that there is no right place or time to pray. The findings show that the average time that is spent on praying varies. Further, prayer is also seen as a form of communication with a divine power and it is also regarded as beneficial to deal with tasks, colleagues' relationships, negative emotions and spiritual vibrations at work settings, among other things.

Keywords

prayerefficacyemotionsrelationshipsspiritualreligionGodBrazilorganizational climatework placedecision-making
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Management & Organization , Volume 16 , Issue 3 , July 2010 , pp. 369 - 381
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press and Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management 2010

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