Phenomenology of Prayer 1

Starting on page 19 of Phenomenology of Prayer, it talks about Samuels prayer and four things we learn from seeing Samuel's prayer in the light. "First, the priority of divine speech is here redoubled." This is a call and response between Samuel and God. Through the prayer Samuel goes through certain stages: "I doubt, I understand, I affirm, I deny, I will, I refuse, I imagine and I feel." The second piece of knowledge reveals that "we learn how prayer is the task of a lifetime, so that even those who have been praying all their lives may not have gotten much farther than kindergarten." I completely agree with this statement. I think that everyone is growing in faith and relationship with God. "Third, we learn why silence is such an important part of prayer." I have found personally that in church I have felt closer to go when there was designated time for silence and meditation. I think its beneficial to have a silent period of reflection. "Finally, we learn why Scripture and prayer are so integrally intertwined, why prayer can never be separated from one dom got of lectio divina." As a time of silent reflection is very important, it is also important to incorporate scripture in to your prayer. It is a good reminder of the word.