Prayer and the Peak End Rule

Have you heard of the peak end rule? This phenomenon describes how humans tend to remember the peak and ending of an experience more than the totality (Fredrickson, 2000). This rule can be applied to nursing and advanced practice nursing encounters (Dunlap, 2019). One summer, Misty and I were a team as we performed physical exams for teenagers and young adults. These were summer workers entering or enrolled in college; in exchange for summer lodging, food, and a modest wage, they would be impacting kids aged kindergarten through sixth grade for Christ at week-long pop-up day camps at intercity churches. The staffers' primary purpose was to share about Jesus with a new group of children each week. While organizing supplies prior to assessing our first summer staffer, we decided that, although we had 100+ physicals to complete in 2 days, we would prioritize the opportunity to pray with every person at the end of their exam. After reviewing each individual's history and vital signs in the electronic health record, we paused to ask each staffer if he or she had medical questions or health issues to discuss. Once questions were addressed and the physical exam was completed, we asked, "How can we pray for your summer?" We noticed the staffers' eye contact was strong and many paused, seemed to come alive, or tear-up when asked this. Although no prayer requests were the same, common responses emerged: I want to be reminded that this service is about God and not me. Please pray I can learn to be humble and think less about myself. I'm afraid I won't know what to say or how to respond to kids' questions. Please pray I will have stamina and boldness even when I get tired. Many prayers surrounded the desire to remove anxiety. Several staffers expressed a longing to reach kids for Christ effectively and not be held back by fears or perceived inadequacies. Some worried about homesickness, transitions, not knowing what to expect, or concerns for their families. Several staffers desired godly guidance, direction, and Christian fellowship. One young woman had been battling bone cancer and had two rods placed in one leg. She asked for prayer that her leg would hold up until her next surgery 1 week after camp. She said, "I want to be able to tell people here about Christ!" She knew she would need some physical accommodations; we prayed that she would be able to contribute strength and wisdom to the staff team in unique ways through her powerful testimony. One recent high school graduate felt inexperienced and nervous, so we prayed a portion of 1 Timothy 4:12: "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young" (NIV). We often asked that God's Spirit would bring to each staffer's remembrance (John 14:26) whatever was needed as they interacted with the children. We also prayed with several staffers to grow closer to Christ through their service to him, and that moment by moment and day by day, they would stay connected to the perfect power source, the Holy Spirit. Many staffers thanked us, saying they had never been prayed for during a physical exam. This experience has encouraged us to be bolder in speaking of our faith as we assess and care for other children in mind, body, and spirit. We do not know the impact of our prayers over the staffers or what these young people will remember from their physical exams. Yet our hope is that throughout their individual summer experiences, the peaks and the lows, that these young people felt sustained comfort and care from God, our healer (Psalm 103:3). As Christian nurses, may we make ourselves available for opportunities to pray with confidence at the close of our health encounters, as the Spirit leads. We are not alone in our work caring for his people.