Douglas Coupland is the postmodern literary icon who coined the term Generation X with his novel by that name. He grew up secular, but in one of his books he discloses a spiritual quest common to many in the secular world. He writes:

Now—here is my secret. I tell it to you with an openness of heart that I doubt I shall ever achieve again, so I pray that you are in a quiet room as you hear these words. My secret is that I need God—that I am sick and can no longer make it alone. I need God to help me give, because I no longer seem to be capable of giving; to help me be kind, as I no longer seem capable of kindness; to help me love, as I seem beyond being able to love."