Abstract
Of 40 adults age 65-74, most held a belief in a benevolent God but were not clear about God's role in health and illness. Over half had prayed about at least one symptom the last time they had it. The least-educated respondents and the Baptists were most likely to report having prayed. Symptoms discussed with a physician or for which drugs were taken were more likely to be prayed over, suggesting that prayer may be used for symptoms seen as serious, and prayer and medical help-seeking are not mutually exclusive. (Abstract amended)