Paige Bier_15 Sept._The Phenomenology of Prayer II

During our sacred journey, we are called forth by God to develop religious or spiritual growth. The Phenomenology of Prayer discusses the book of first Samuel where God, not Eli, is calling him: “He does not originate the conversation but is called, called forth, even called into being by a voice not his own” (p. 17). Samuel is not the originator of the prayer when he gets called in the middle of his sleep; therefore, God- the caller- is the originator. Samuel responds to his calling with “Here am I, for you called me. Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening” and it is in these moments that we prepare ourselves to undergo a life-changing experience. In that moment, our identity changes in our arrival to our sacred place. At this sacred place, “we do not detach ourselves from things in order to attach ourselves to God, but rather we become detached from ourselves in order to see and use all things in and for God” (p. 24). During my sacred journey, I was able to decenter my life in order to focus on God’s calling. Our identity will be delivered through our calling, allowing for us to see God’s true purpose for us on Earth. For example, page 24 says, “Her self-chosen identity id not include being the mother of Messiah, much less the mother of God, as later generations would say in calling her blessed”.