Faith, prayer, and religious observances.

Religious and spiritual beliefs and their associated ritual or behavior play a major role in the lives of many people, and their observance can have critical impact on health care. Membership in a faith group provides an identity as well as support and may suggest acceptable patterns of behavior. This article discusses ways in which understanding of the underlying nature of religious belief and behavior may assist the clinician. Practices that are fundamentally similar among different religions and which may constrain treatment plans are compared. Guidelines are provided, and pointers given on key religious observances among major faith groups, while noting that levels of adherence and observance are highly personal.