Phenomenology of Prayer #2

   Reading through the Phenomenology of Prayer has drastically changed my prayer life in ways that I never expected. I really like James Mensch's concept of the "earthy economy" in chapter four. He says that "our focus on objects in petitionary prayer...trap us... [in] an earthly economy" and considering this is the average Christian's most abundant prayer form--this is a problem. I am always willing to pray more frequently when I need something from God. In class we discuss leaving the "marketplace" a lot when we go out into the wilderness and Mensch's makes it clear that a "marketplace" in non-existent in our relationship with God and needs to be eliminated from our prayer life as well. I love going on retreats or just finding a quiet space to be alone with God and often times I feel I need those times to figure out what God wants from be, but in reality I am approaching that time all wrong. I cannot offer anything to God; I posses nothing that he does not already have nor can I make a fair "marketplace" deal with him. I get caught up a lot in the barter of this world and try to incorporate it into my prayer life by asking what God wants from me and each time I am always reminded of his great love for me and that he simply wants me as I am.
   Mensch also says that "socialization involves imitating others" and here we have to decided which economy to be a part of.  Am I going to imitate the "earthly economy" or am I going to imitate Christ who fully embodied kenosis? To live in the world, but not of the world I can't expect God to do all the work because, without a market of barter, we enter into a relationship. To live as Christ becomes my ultimate goal. I stop praying only in times of petition, but in praise and for other's needs. Not just that that their need would be met, but that good will continue to come to them. Even with my worst enemy I learn to pray for their goodness because I was once Christ's enemy and he still loved me. As Christ's kenosis was made full on the cross, so I pray that my kenosis will be made full when I die. No one could ever wrong me more than I have and continue to wrong Christ. I know I will never fully embody what Mensch discusses, but his article and this book have inspired me to be more and to strive for more in my walk with Christ.