The purpose of Women Today Magazine is to reach out to hurting women and offer them the hope and joy of a relationship with Jesus Christ. In order for us to know how to best relate to our audience, we decided to probe a little deeper. We created a survey about prayer, seeking opinions and thoughts on what prayer is, if it works, experiences and much more. It's been exciting to see how people have responded, and has sparked discussion on how we can best communicate with our audience on a spiritual level.  Here are some of our results:

Total Surveyed: 825

Have you ever said a prayer?
Yes: 96.3%
No: 3.7%

If a family member was hurt and someone offered to pray for them, would you accept their offer?
Yes: 93.5%
No: 1.3%

Can prayer make a difference in a situation?
Yes: 77.7%
No: 2.4%
Not sure: 10.2%
Depends on the prayer: 2%
Depends on the person praying: 5%
Other 2.8% (Sample responses*:
- In the sense that it can change one's attitude and outlook towards the situation, yes. Even though I do not believe in prayer, I would take comfort in another's hope and faith.
- It doesn't change the outcome, but it might ease someone's stress and worry.
- Yes, prayer is power and even greater in numbers).

What is prayer?
Talking to God/higher power: 80.7%
Connecting with your soul: 5.4%
A religious discipline/requirement: 2.2%
Not sure: 1.9%
A cry for help: 2.9%
Meditating: 1.2%
Other 5.7% (Sample responses*:
- A false hope that society use to not feel defeated
- It is conecting with my soul and in times of uncertainty, hope that there is some greater power that can help).

I am a person of faith
True: 82.4%
False: 6%
Not sure: 11.5%

What is your faith?
Christianity: 79.4%
Islam: 3.5%
Hinduism: 1.6%
Buddhism: 1.4%
Sikhism: 0%
Judaism: 0.7%
B'hai: 0.1%
Shinto: 0%
Other: 13.2% (Sample responses*:
- Christianity by birth, but like to see it a little more mixed
- Quasi-christian; quasi-buddhist; whatever
- I'm not sure. I was raised a baptist but have studied many others. Sometimes, I think we all have a bit of what it takes to grow closer to our maker).

* Sample responses are stated in context; we have left these unedited so as to preserve the respondents' meaning.