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Abstract
Robert L. Klitzman’s Doctor, Will You Pray for Me? explores the relationship between medicine, spirituality, and existential care in contemporary healthcare. Drawing on qualitative interviews, clinical experience, and autobiographical reflection, Klitzman examines how patients, physicians, and hospital chaplains confront questions of suffering, meaning, mortality, and hope in situations of serious illness and end-of-life care. This review situates the book within the field of medical humanities and focuses on three major themes: the critique of biomedical reductionism, the changing nature of spirituality in contemporary societies, and the role of hospital chaplaincy in increasingly pluralistic healthcare environments. The article also discusses Klitzman’s qualitative and interpretive methodological approach and highlights the book’s relevance for European healthcare systems facing growing cultural and religious diversity. At the same time, the review addresses several limitations of the book, including its strong grounding in the American context and its limited engagement with non-Western perspectives. Nevertheless, Doctor, Will You Pray for Me? constitutes an important contribution to current debates on spirituality, holistic care, and the human dimensions of medicine.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Chiazoka Clare Obasi
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References
- Best, M., Leget, C., Goodhead, A., & Paal, P. (2020). An EAPC white paper on multi-disciplinary education for spiritual care in palliative care. BMC Palliative Care, 19(9), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-019-0508-4
- Cadge, W. (2012). Paging God: Religion in the halls of medicine. University of Chicago Press.
- Cadge, W., & Sigalow, E. (2013). Negotiating religious differences: The strategies of interfaith chaplains in healthcare. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 52(1), 146–158. https://doi.org/10.1111/jssr.12008
- Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. (n.d.). Robert Klitzman. https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/profile/robert-klitzman-md
- Geertz, C. (1973). The interpretation of cultures. Basic Books.
- Klitzman, R. L. (2021). Doctor, will you pray for me? Responding to patients’ religious and spiritual concerns. Academic Medicine, 96(3), 349–354. https://doi.org/10.1097/ACM.0000000000003765
- Klitzman, R. L. (2024). Doctor, will you pray for me? Medicine, chaplains, and healing the whole person. Oxford University Press.
- Koenig, H. G. (2012). Religion, spirituality, and health: The research and clinical implications. ISRN Psychiatry, 2012, 278730. https://doi.org/10.5402/2012/278730
- Paal, P., Grabenweger, R., Bublitz, S., Bumes, E., Littger, B., Haikonen, J., Gijsberts, M.-J., Oliver, D. J., Veronese, S., Kowski, A., & Best, M. (2026). European Association for Palliative Care White Paper on spiritual care for people with neuro-oncological and neurodegenerative conditions: Integrative framework for practice, education, and research. Palliative & Supportive Care, 24, Article e117. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1478951526102302
- Wirpsa, M. J. (2025). Book review: Will you pray for me? Medicine, chaplains, and healing the whole person by Robert L. Klitzman. Journal of Pastoral Care & Counseling, 79(1–4), 49–50. https://doi.org/10.1177/15423050251320561
References
Best, M., Leget, C., Goodhead, A., & Paal, P. (2020). An EAPC white paper on multi-disciplinary education for spiritual care in palliative care. BMC Palliative Care, 19(9), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-019-0508-4
Cadge, W. (2012). Paging God: Religion in the halls of medicine. University of Chicago Press.
Cadge, W., & Sigalow, E. (2013). Negotiating religious differences: The strategies of interfaith chaplains in healthcare. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 52(1), 146–158. https://doi.org/10.1111/jssr.12008
Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. (n.d.). Robert Klitzman. https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/profile/robert-klitzman-md
Geertz, C. (1973). The interpretation of cultures. Basic Books.
Klitzman, R. L. (2021). Doctor, will you pray for me? Responding to patients’ religious and spiritual concerns. Academic Medicine, 96(3), 349–354. https://doi.org/10.1097/ACM.0000000000003765
Klitzman, R. L. (2024). Doctor, will you pray for me? Medicine, chaplains, and healing the whole person. Oxford University Press.
Koenig, H. G. (2012). Religion, spirituality, and health: The research and clinical implications. ISRN Psychiatry, 2012, 278730. https://doi.org/10.5402/2012/278730
Paal, P., Grabenweger, R., Bublitz, S., Bumes, E., Littger, B., Haikonen, J., Gijsberts, M.-J., Oliver, D. J., Veronese, S., Kowski, A., & Best, M. (2026). European Association for Palliative Care White Paper on spiritual care for people with neuro-oncological and neurodegenerative conditions: Integrative framework for practice, education, and research. Palliative & Supportive Care, 24, Article e117. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1478951526102302
Wirpsa, M. J. (2025). Book review: Will you pray for me? Medicine, chaplains, and healing the whole person by Robert L. Klitzman. Journal of Pastoral Care & Counseling, 79(1–4), 49–50. https://doi.org/10.1177/15423050251320561