Prayer and relationship with God II: Replication and extension of the relational prayer model

Using the explanatory framework of the Relational Prayer Model, and samples of 77 young adults (aged 18-34) and 54 middle-aged individuals (aged 35-65) that identified themselves as "Christian," correlational and regression analyses indicated that chronological age was positively related to frequency of engaging in prayers of adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication, and contemplation (r's=. 14-.25). Age was also positively associated with the mystical experience of the holy/sacred during prayer, positive affect during prayer, and perceptions of intimacy with God (r's=.18, .17, .29). The best predictor of intimacy with God for young adults was the prayer of thanksgiving while the prayer of adoration was the best predictor for middle-aged adults. Path analyses indicated that age had more of an indirect than a direct effect on relational intimacy with God while frequency of prayer and affect during prayer had direct effect on relational intimacy with God. Several suggestions for future research were offered.