Tim Dronfield (Phenomenology of Prayer) - Decentering and selfish or self serving prayer

 December 8 2020

Decentering and Selfish or Self Serving Prayer

    In Chapter 1, Merold Westphal refers to prayer and the tendency of people to pray for themselves or for other people and not pray to make a connection with god. People pray with themselves as the center of their prayers. Prayer that is truly a connection and conversation with god is like the experience of Samuels "Here I am". This was a instance of prayer that was not selfish or self serving but was a true openness to god and forming a dialogue with god. This is a rather extreme example as god literally calls out to Samuel and directly speaks to him. But the idea can be applied to anyone who is praying.

    People often talk about praying in times of struggle. Some people don't pray to have a relationship with God but pray things like "God please help me to pass this exam" or "God please help me get this job". They pray and talk to God only when they need something. I have done this before and I know many others who have done it. It is an example of purely selfish or self serving prayer. Its basically saying you only care about God when you need him to help you with something.

    So often as a kid I would pray the exact same prayer every night. It was like reciting a line it wasn't a connection just a task I did before going to sleep. I prayed for the exact same people and things every night. I just memorized the lines. This wasn't meaningful prayer in which I made a connection with God. The times I have felt or seen that type of connection is when someone opens up their heart and asks God to speak to them and help them. They don't ask god to give them something or to help someone. They simply say "God I'm here and I need your guidance". This is closer to decentered prayer. You are speaking to god but you aren't thinking of your material desires or wishes, but are asking God to guide you to the right choice not asking that he makes it for you.

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