This book investigates how American Protestants reconciled the traditional practice of prayer with the rising influence of scientific rationalism and modernity between 1870 and 1930. Rick Ostrander, a scholar of American religious history, utilizes archival records, theological journals, and personal correspondence to map the shifting landscape of Christian belief. He argues that the intellectual pressures of the era forced a fundamental re-evaluation of the efficacy and nature of prayer, leading to diverse responses within the Protestant tradition.

Historians and scholars of American religion frequently cite this work for its clear articulation of the intellectual challenges faced by early 20th-century believers. Experts highlight the text as a valuable resource for understanding the intersection of theological development and cultural modernization.