Powerful Prayers

Turning the pages of Larry King's new book, Powerful Prayers (Renaissance Books), readers might be forgiven for uttering heartfelt, spontaneous entreaties along the lines of, "Dear God, why did I pay $22.95 for this book?"

For the CNN talk-show host, an agnostic, to write a book about prayer is a bit like Fidel Castro analyzing the Republican revolution. Sure, he probably has some thoughts on the subject, but who cares?

Books on religion are big sellers, however, and King is nothing if not tuned in to what's hot. So a book on prayer it is, with King soliciting thoughts on faith from a wide range of celebrities and clerics.

Fortunately, King enlists Rabbi Irwin Katsof of New York as his spiritual guide. Surely, Katsof has earned a special place in heaven for patiently answering King's questions, which go like this: "Why does God cause red lights when I'm late for a reservation at Spago?" and "Why did God let me eat all those bagels with schmears of cream cheese that clogged my arteries and put me in the hospital when I was supposed to be getting married for the eighth time?"

Those who manage to wade through King's egotistical ramblings will find some nuggets of insight from his guests. Columnist Cal Thomas, for example, reflects on losing his job at NBC Radio in 1973.

"It might have looked like a disaster, but two important things happened," Thomas recalled. "I made a commitment to Jesus Christ and there was a total reorganization of my priorities.... I had three young kids to support. I remember going to the unemployment office, where I had covered stories as a journalist before, and now I was taking a number. I sat down with a truck driver who had mud on his boots and for whom I wouldn't have had the time of day. But that day we were equal--we didn't have jobs. Out of all this came a tremendous peace. God knew what he was trying to do with me."

After writing a book about prayer, the author experiences no epiphany. The closest he comes is standing in Columbus Circle in New York, "the greatest bagel city in the world," saying "thank you" aloud. "I suppose it was for the blessings of being alive," King writes. "I can't honestly say to whom that `thank you' was directed, but I know I wasn't talking to myself."

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COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning