The series of books called The Divine Hours introduced many people, unfamiliar with the Anglican prayer "offices" and the Benedictine routine, to the concept of fixed-hour prayer. Author Phyllis Tickle collected prayers from several Christian traditions and paired them with Scriptures in a series of daily readings designed to give free-form pray-ers more structure and an appreciation for older spiritual practices. For decades, Tickle served as religion editor for Publisher's Weekly, keeping track of every book and trend in Christendom. Today she is finding a welcome audience among younger Christians and church leaders who find her witty, wise, and wise-cracking. When our Eric Reed caught up with her, Tickle had just returned to her Tennessee farm, fresh from the stage of a national youth pastors conference. Her newest book is This Is What I Pray Today: Divine Hours Prayers for Children (Dutton, 2007).

What happens when we hear the Word read aloud?

Two things happen. First, we become habituated ...