LE3 .A278 2021

2021

Hunse, Dorothy

Acadia University

Doctor of Ministry

D.Min.

Ministry

Acadia Divinity College

Considerable psychological research has examined the way humans make attachment to God and attachment to close others. The goal of this research was to investigate the role prayers and visualization make in enhancing a secure attachment with God and correspondingly attachment with close others. The cognitive foundations of this study involve examining whether or not a more concrete understanding of God, as revealed in the Judeo-Christians Scriptures, can also fulfill Ainsworth’s criteria for an attachment figure. The study also develops a theological understanding of how prayers and visualization may function as a viable means for enhancing a perceived sense of attachment to God. The study involved using two self-report questionnaires, respectively entitled “Experiences in Close Relationships,” and “Attachment to God Inventory.” Participants from three Baptist churches were given five prayer and visualization exercises to be completed over five weeks. The method included using meditative and colloquial prayers while visualizing a benevolent God through concrete objects. The investigation revealed that the prayer and visualization exercises were successful in enhancing a more secure attachment to God. It was further discovered that there was a corresponding effect on how participants also felt more secure in their relationships with significant others. Several study limitations and practical applications are also presented.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:3698