Because prayer is an essential feature of Christianity its practice is widespread. About half the adults in Britain, and slightly more in Europe, claim to need moments of prayer (Abrams, Gerard, & Timms, 1985, p. 60). Argyle and Beit-Hallahmi (1975, p. 12) noted that "about 44 per cent of the adult population" in Britain "claim to pray every day, mostly before going to bed," and to pray about "family and friends, especially for those who are ill, happier family life, peace, and help in crises," with more parents teaching their children to pray than who pray themselves. That more females than males pray daily (p. 73) gives a greater sex difference for prayer than for any other aspect of religious behavior.