This is a bold book. Biblically based, it has to do with changing the life of American society, from the inside out, through the "source action of prayer. "I have written a book for Christians," says Eugene Peterson,

"who want to do something about what is wrong with America

and want to plunge into the center, not tinker at the edge. I have chosen eleven psalms that shaped the politics of Israel and can shape the politics of America, and I have taken them seriously. I have written to encourage Christians to pray them both as chil- dren of God with eternal destinies and as American citizens with daily responsibilities in caring for our nation."

Peterson is concerned with the "unselfing" of our self-preoc cupied, self-bound society through the action of praying together with other believers. He offers insightful, thought-provoking reflec- tions on eleven select psalm-prayers that can help us overcome such things as self-centeredness, self-assertiveness, self-righteous- ness, self-sufficiency, self-pity, self-service, and self-love. Originally published under the title Earth and Altar, Where Your Treasure Is will serve to stir small groups of Christians to pointed reflection and prayer-action.