A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving is a novel in which
             religion is of great importance. One of the main themes in this
             novel is faith in God and oneself, and even more, the conflict
             between belief and doubt. Irving writes in such a way, that
             this is very evident throughout the book.
             John Wheelwright, at the start of the novel, is a young
             boy who does not seem to know much about how strong his
             faith really is. Part of the reason for this, is that the choice
             between believing in and doubting God is that there isn't any
             complete evidence that He even exists. Owen Meany, on the
             other hand, is almost the complete opposite of John. He knows
             that everything that occurs happens for a reason, and that
             there is no such thing as coincidences. John Irving follows the
             journey from childhood friendship into adulthood between the
             two, showing the true meaning of friendship and the impact
             John doesn't feel a connection with God while growing up,
             quite possibly because he had changed churches several times
             as a child, due to his mother and her relations with Reverend
             Merill. John is characterized as a person lacking to know the
             very self of him, and he seems to learn from the events that
             occur around him, rather than to himself.
             Irving's use of symbolism in the novel is very effective in
             supporting this theme of religious faith. One of the most
             obvious and important symbols is Owen himself. He is
             portrayed as a Jesus figure, and himself exclaims, "I AM
             GOD'S INSTRUMENT." There is also reference to the nativity
             set in the Meany's home. It just so happens that the Baby Jesus
             is missing from the crib in the center. This symbolizes that
             Owen takes the place of Baby Jesus and therefore is not found
             in the nativity set. Owen himself is a miracle, which is shown
             by the description of his physical appearance, his voice, and
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