Phenomenology of Prayer - Christina Lobosco

While reading a section from the Phenomenology of Prayer book, I spent time analyzing the “What Should We Pray For?” portion.  This section emphasized the importance of knowing that by emptying ourselves and opening up to others, we are also giving space to the divine.  This section allowed me to notice the importance of opening up to someone else, but also taking the relationship with God with you. Through the connections that are made through God, the aspect of prayer is involved.  While praying for others, call for help but allow God to do His work. It was said in the text, “ In praying for the other, I do not compete with him but, rather, give way.”
Praying is something that not only is a gift, but a promise.  It is a promise because you are agreeing to “receive the object as a means,” but it is also a gift because this prayer is being spoken and received by God.  Since each prayer is a connection and conversation with God, prayers should remain pure and good. By good, I emphasize the difference between possessing goods and praying for the overall good of the world or intentions.  Deepening our prayers allows us to “enter into a living relation with the sacred.” Also, it is talked about in the ending of this section that we are able to “share in the unfathomable generosity of God’s kenosis.” Prayer provides participation in the world around us and the creation of God’s love.

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