in Prayer and the Common Life, pioneering theologian Georgia Harkness argues that in response to the troubles of the world around us one that is consumed with materialism, constantly at war, and filled with social injustices of all kinds what is most needed is a revitalization of "vital, God-centered, intelligently grounded" prayer. Instead of prayer that mere-ly insulates one from the world, Harkness advocates prayer that "makes a differ-ence in the common life"-that is, prayer that transforms both the person pray-ing and the world for which he or she prays.