Miracles and Divine Healings Are Common Among Americans, Survey Finds

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A new survey suggests that miraculous healings and answered prayers aren’t a rare occurrence among Americans – but a widespread reality.

The poll by the American Bible Society in partnership with CBN News found that nearly half (48 percent) of Americans say they have received a miraculous answer to prayer, while 35 percent say they have experienced or witnessed a divine healing.

Not surprisingly, U.S. adults who identify with a religion are the most likely to say they have experienced a miraculous answer to prayer, with 75 percent of evangelical Protestants saying so and 65 percent of members of historically Black Protestant congregations saying they have, too.

Majorities of Catholics (57 percent) and mainline Protestants (51 percent) also say they have, as do 49 percent of members of non-Christian religions. Even among those who don’t identify with any religion, 15 percent say they have experienced a miraculous answer to prayer.

Among practicing Christians, 90 percent say they have experienced such an answer to prayer.

"This research confirms what so many people have suspected but rarely seen documented at this scale," said Billy Hallowell, host of CBN’s Investigating the Supernatural: Angels and Demons. "Americans aren't just curious about the supernatural – they're experiencing it. These numbers should spark a national conversation about what so many of our neighbors are witnessing firsthand."

It’s not the first survey to find Americans affirm the supernatural.

In 2008, a poll by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life found that nearly eight in 10 American adults (79 percent) believed miracles still occur today as they did in ancient times, while more than two-thirds (68 percent) said angels and demons are active in the world.

Meanwhile, a 2015 Barna Group survey commissioned by Lee Strobel found that 51 percent of Americans believe the miracles of the Bible happened as described – while 67 percent say miracles are still possible today. Only 15 percent of Americans say miracles in modern times are not possible.

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Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel. 

Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.