Friday, December 6, 2013

Ashley Bowles- Silence is an important part of prayer- “Phenomenology of Prayer” #2



Merold Westphal writes in “The Phenomenology of Prayer” that “we cannot listen very well to the voice of God if we are chattering ourselves or even if we merely keep ourselves surrounded by noise, almost as a barrier to protect us from hearing the voice of any other (pg. 20).”
            In order for one to fully connect with God they must exclude themselves from everything going on around them so that they may devote all their thought and focus to God himself.  This is important if someone is trying to have a strong connection/relationship with God.  Going on a hike on the Appalachian Trail or any other trail may allow oneself to escape from the noise and busyness of the world and just strictly focus on their relationship with God.  Their communication with God, prayer, is a way to help them connect to God.  It is just like studying for a test.  If you are sitting in a noisy room with a bunch of people carrying on a conversation you are not going to be able to study and retain as much information for your test as if you were in the library in a quiet room by yourself with silence and just your study material. 

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