Christians in Canada turn to their faith for comfort and support since the COVID-19 outbreak.

According to a survey of non-profit Angus Reid Institute, one-in-five Canadians who pray (59%) said they have been praying more often than normal. “With the COVID-19 outbreak threatening the health and financial wellbeing of residents from coast to coast, it is perhaps unsurprising that many Canadians have turned to a higher power a little more often than they normally would,” said the survey.

It is perhaps unsurprising that many Canadians have turned to a higher power a little more often than they normally would. —Angus Reid Institute

Regardless of the frequency in praying, the Institute found that the majority of Canadians with deep religious faith claimed that prayers helped them deal with negative feelings brought about by the pandemic.

Forty percent of respondents said prayers helped them overcome fear and anxiety, and 38% said prayers alleviated feelings of loneliness/isolation, grief/anger, and depression/hopelessness.

Meantime, one-in-five Canadians (19%) answered that they, someone in their household, or someone they know received aid from their religious communities last month when people started isolating themselves.

Ray Pennings, executive vice president of the religious think tank Cardus, said he is not surprised with the findings. “Throughout history, faith groups have been among the first to mobilize to assist in a time of crisis. During a pandemic, there are numerous opportunities to fulfill their mandate for love of neighbor,” he explained.

As of this writing, the confirmed COVID-19 cases in Canada are 43,888 and the total death toll stands at 2,302.