What Does the Title Mean?

"There's a prayer I say most often for Owen.... 'INTO PARADISE MAY THE ANGELS LEAD YOU'.... I am always saying prayers for Owen Meany(Irving, 616). The title of the book, "A Prayer for Owen Meany", implies that John has been saying prayers for Owen ever since he died, but why would he do that? After Owen dies, John said that he now has faith, that because of Owen's "miracle", that he believes. Owen had put faith in John, to become religious, so he started saying his prayers. But why would you continue to pray,"O God - please give him back! I shall keep asking you"(617). Why does John pray to God to give Owen back? Because he had special characteristics that no one else had! Owen (1) had strong faith, (2) was brave/courageous, (3) was compassionate and sacrificial, (4) was forgiving, and most important of all (5) he was a good friend. In the book, who else is any of these things? No one. All of the characters don't have at least one of these traits, they lack at least one of these traits. For example, Owen was brave/courageous. Rev. Merill was not courageous in claiming John as his son, John was not courageous in looking for his father, and Tabby was not courageous with all of her lies. The list goes on and on with what the characters of this novel lack, and not what they have in terms of good qualities. "O God- please give him back! I shall keep asking you." Please God, for John's sake give him back, for he will not meet another person like Owen ever again.