Authors look at several kinds of prayer

KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
Why do people pray? The reasons are more varied than you might imagine. In an age in which religion has often taken center stage in national and global affairs, Philip and Carol Zaleski offer an important look into the many kinds of prayer in their book, "Prayer: A History." They reflect on the human impulse to connect with the divine.
This scholarly yet accessible study provides a social history while challenging readers to explore their own spiritual communication. The power and value of this book lie in its comprehensive approach.
With such a broad, global topic, the authors deftly structure their investigation into discrete parts that examine the external (problem-solving) and internal (self-changing) "magical" effects of various kinds of prayer. Aware that their book must speak to contemporary times, the authors include a final section of chapters on prayer's relationship to the arts, healing and wellness and the public square.