Alexa Botha (The Phenomenology of Prayer #2)

Something I have often struggled with is on the proper way to pray. Do I get down on my knees? Am I horrible person if my my mind wanders to my thoughts of dinner or the party I may be going to? Benson and Virzba state that the ego needs to be released in order to have a proper prayer. Of course, there is no set instruction for conducting a prayer, that's because there is no ideal form or way, it is up to the person praying. By releasing the ego we create a more humble and pure prayer in which we are more concerned for others and the good of the people and things around us than our own worldly issues. To ask for things is not benefiting anyone, instead prayer should be realistic and create a better person within us that will benefit the world and people around us. Prayer is meant to create just and compassionate human beings. And so that leads us to the importance of how we pray and not what we pray about. IF you are not sincere in your truths and thoughts then what you are praying about is somewhat irrelevant, by releasing the ego and fully opening up then we can have true and meaningful prayer.