An holistic approach to prayer for social work practice

An holistic approach to prayer and ethical standards for its application to social work practice are presented. This approach is strongly influenced by post‐Vatican II Catholic attempts to integrate spiritual contemplation with activities for human services. It also honors and appreciates alternative secular and religious approaches to spirituality. Thus, the social work professional commitment to support client self‐determination is linked with an ecumenical, interreligious perspective. In this context, Christian forms of prayer including meditation, contemplation, and ritual are described.