Catch the Fire: Soaking Prayer and Charismatic Renewal by Michael Wilkinson and Peter Althouse, published by Northern Illinois University Press, 2014. "Although there has been an increase in the number of social scientists researching and writing about prayer, few attempt to journey into what might be called 'the heart of prayer.' Wilkinson (a sociologist) and Althouse (a theologian) have skillfully worked as a team to present one form of prayer (soaking prayer) within a particular historical context (a contemporary revival) and to explore its rituals, affective experiences, and psycho-social effects. In drawing from social science as well as theology they have captured the heart of soaking prayer." - Margaret M. Poloma, University of Akron "The practice of prayer—in contrast to the theory—is notoriously understudied. Wilkinson and Althouse interpret their field-based interviews through the lenses of sociological and theological methodology to give a nuanced...
theoretical and methodological issues