Kaile Judge - The Phenomenology of Prayer - Post 2

Christianity and Prayer: As It Is

    As I have explained in previous blogs, prayer is more than just talking to yourself, but a posture of self and more so a lack of self-interest. The Phenomenology of Prayer talks about prayer deeply and what it really does mean to pray and how one can do so in a holy way. Some people might think that prayer and Christianity are just doing whatever God says, but this is not true. It is actually a self-realization that one cannot do all things alone; they need help, saving, love, grace, guidance, and the list continues. Being a Christian will cause one to pray and ask God for these things. In The Phenomenology of Prayer, they describe prayer as a detachment from the world and attachment to God. In this, Thomas Merton says, "detachment from things does not mean setting up a contradiction between 'things' and 'God'.. as if [God's] creatures were His rivals. We do not detach ourselves from things to attach ourselves to God, but rather we become detached from ourselves to see and use all things in and for God." He says this with such beauty and grace that it cannot be a mistake that Christianity and prayer are not just following God, but doing so selflessly and fully with one's whole heart and soul. 

    Furthermore, prayer is the most direct form of communication with God. Prayer is essential in religion and the relationship that one has with God, so it is regarded highly and done at all times of day. The text continues and says that, "for prayer, life is a gift and a task, and God is both a God of grace and of law. Both types of speech act are decentering. The promise of grace signifies that we are not the origin of life or of its meaning; these, rather, are a gift as we are from the outset caught up in purpose beyond your own." This statement shows that prayer and pursuing God throughout life is not something that one does to be blessed and to prosper, but because they know they are serving something greater, a greater purpose and cause than any human on Earth could ever think of or imagine. 

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