James Moore's ambitions are huge: He seeks to provide a "sweeping commentary describing how prayer has affected the country and its people." Retelling the American story in a grand, breezy style, he celebrates the presence of "American prayer" in the midst of both national crises and ordinary life.
Above all, he seeks to show that prayer—across denominations and religions—has been a central force in the formation and continued strength of the nation. Unsurprisingly, he regards the decision to remove public prayer from schools as wrongheaded, at odds with our ongoing need for unity and vitality.
Moore's achievement is to show through sheer empirical evidence that prayer has indeed been laced throughout our past. But his interpretation goes nowhere. Turning to neither theory nor theology for wisdom, he instead simply cheers the prayers—and the nation—on. That prayer may be used for malign political or cultural ends, or may at times be evil, never makes it into his story. Which means there's another story waiting to be told.
While we pray for peace, we need moral clarity about this war.
As my doubts about his teachings grew, so did a secret fascination with Jesus.
Christians can disciple each other toward action, prayer, and hope.
