{"product_id":"the-concept-of-prayer-routledge-revivals-philosophical-study","title":"The Concept of Prayer (Routledge Revivals) - Philosophical Study","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of The Concept of Prayer (Routledge Revivals) the bottom line is clear: this compact reissue is best for students and readers who want a careful, philosophical examination of prayer rather than devotional guidance. D. Z. Phillips treats prayer as a question that illuminates what is meant by the reality of God, and the book's greatest strength is its insistence that understanding prayer is inseparable from understanding religious language and community. This review focuses on why the book matters to those studying the philosophy of religion and what to expect from its argument-driven style.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePhilosophical framing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Phillips places prayer within a broader philosophical context so readers can follow how theological questions arise from language and concept, not just belief claims.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFocus on meaning:\u003c\/strong\u003e The text treats prayer as a concept to be clarified, helping students see how questions about God and prayer intersect with ordinary language.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThemes explored:\u003c\/strong\u003e Topics such as prayer and talking, prayer and dependence, superstition, and community are examined to show different dimensions of prayer's significance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConcise reissue:\u003c\/strong\u003e As a reissued classic first published in 1965, it provides a compact, historically situated argument useful for course reading lists.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAcademic value:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book is particularly valuable for those studying philosophy of religion and religious studies, offering material suited to seminar discussion and critical essays.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis book is aimed at undergraduates, graduate students, and independent readers with an interest in the philosophy of religion, religious studies, or the history of ideas about prayer. It suits readers who appreciate close conceptual analysis and are comfortable with argument-driven prose rather than pastoral or devotional treatment.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThose seeking practical guidance on how to pray, devotional inspiration, or a survey of different religious traditions should look elsewhere, since the book is narrowly philosophical and concentrates on conceptual issues rather than practice or doctrine.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvides a rigorous philosophical approach that clarifies how prayer relates to the concept of God and religious language.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAddresses multiple angles-talking, dependence, superstition, community-so readers gain a rounded perspective.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConcise reissue makes the original 1965 argument accessible for classroom use and focused study.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNot intended as devotional literature, so readers expecting practical prayer guidance may be disappointed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe philosophical style can be dense for readers without prior exposure to analytic approaches in religion.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe Concept of Prayer (Routledge Revivals)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eD. Z. Phillips\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFirst published\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1965 (reissued)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePhilosophy of religion, prayer, religious studies\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKey topics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrayer and talking; prayer and dependence; superstition; community\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntended audience\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStudents and scholars of philosophy and religious studies\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Concept of Prayer (Routledge Revivals) is a focused, argument-driven reissue that rewards readers interested in conceptual analysis of religion. It is good value for classroom use or private study because it brings a clear, historically placed philosophical case that helps reframe questions about the reality of God through the lens of prayer.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this book devotional or instructional?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book is philosophical and analytic in approach, not devotional or a how-to guide on prayer.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho benefits most from reading it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStudents and scholars of philosophy of religion and religious studies will gain the most from its conceptual arguments.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the text cover multiple religious traditions?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book focuses on conceptual questions rather than comparative tradition surveys, using philosophical discussion to address prayer and religious language.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"D. 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