that involves close conversation. PRAYER AS ASKING It is a part of our culture in the USA to be reluctant to ask people for things. If you have traveled to Canada or Britain, you have probably noticed that the reluctance is even greater there. Now, we all do ask for things from others, but generally our culture is not comfortable with the practice—especially asking for help or favors. Social scientists have come up with a range of possible reasons for this: general shyness, fear of rejection, vulnerability,