Replenishing the spirit by meditative prayer and guided imagery.

OBJECTIVES

To review relevant literature describing prayer and guided imagery, and to demonstrate via the use of a vignette, the use of both prayer and guided imagery as one approach to offer spiritual care to oncology patients.

DATA SOURCES

Review and research articles from multiple disciplines, and personal clinical experience.

CONCLUSION

Meditative prayer and guided imagery are two approaches that can be used to provide spiritual care to cancer patients and families. While research has focused on elements of spirituality, research related to clinical interventions is limited.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Guided imagery, metaphors, meditative prayer, and prayers of silence are effective approaches the nurse can implement when caring for the patient with cancer.