There are various frictions in human experience that are common to most people: friction with the world, with one's job, with other personalities, and even with one's human self.
In the history of mankind prayer has been conceived of in many ways—from the automatic prayer wheel of the Tibetan to the prolonged night vigil in the Garden of Gethsemane.
According to news media, the interest of many modern theologians is switching from the theory that God is dead—silent—to the theory of hope—that He will speak in the future.