Byrnes - Phenomenology of Prayer #1

 When reading the opening sections of  "Phenomenology of Prayer" I found it incredibly interesting and useful. It, as a book, examined the particular reasons and methods of prayer, and broke it down into more than just lines to be read off of a church program or religious book, but instead as a deeply personal communication with God, or whatever particular higher power your are praying to. It was made as something that is less of a ritual, and more of a personal dialogue that you hope your higher power is listening to. It can be a way to express personal strife, success, or mere thoughts, so as to feel more connected with your faith and more closely tied to what you believe in. To me, prayer was always something I merely did the motions for, opening a bible and speaking the lines as written, without putting particular thought or meaning into them, and this explains prayer better to me than anything I'd read prior. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Rob Baron Outside Reading #2

Pilgrimages in the Bible (New Testament) In the new testament part of the bible, there is a common theme that is in multiple parts of different books. The book of Mathew talks about how salvation is found for a limited time only before Jesus Christ returns. This time is said to be at a totally unexpected time and is called the last judgment. John, 1 Corinthians, and James all back this up by saying prepare themselves for God’s verdict on how they lived. People are supposed to think of themselves as pilgrims and temporary residents as their true home is in heaven. It is said that their life is a pilgrimage with the final destination of heaven.
Read more

Image and Pilgrimage in Christian Culture (2): Skylar Minick

 Chapter 6:          At the beginning of this chapter Turner talks about the resurgence of Marian pilgrimages and images. Especially in the nineteenth century there was such an abundance of art focusing on Mary and her baby Jesus. I am currently taking an art history class as well and Mary and her child was a major major theme in art around those time periods, People were fascinated with her purity and obviously the holiness of her son. This was such an important event because it seemed to provide a link between humanity and the divinity of the holy God. Every other divine creature is invisible, not to be seen, heard or even have a proven  existence which obviously creates problems because it is impossible to know when or if one's prayer has been heard, making communication to the sacred very difficult. This must explain why pilgrimages begin when there is signs or "evidence" of a supernatural quality or being. The church of El...
Read more

Rob Baron Outside Reading #3

Israelites leaving Egypt   One of the great journeys that were told in the bible was the story of Israelites leaving Egypt. The reason for them leaving was because they were enslaved and Moses lead them out. Throughout the journey, God was in their presence as he parted the red sea and many other things. When they reach Mount Sinai God speaks to Moses and made a deal with the Jews.
Read more