Phenomenology of Prayer #2

In Ch. 6 of Phenomenology of Prayer, the author discusses how prayer in itself is work - it is the work of attention and responsibility. He discusses how attention is truly a discipline, and in today's world is absolutely necessary for authentic prayer. Attention allows an individual to escape the "marketplace mentality" of the modern day and allows an individual to put aside their ego. This attention leads into responsibility - the responsibility of one to actively engage in the world around them. This includes being authentic and compassionate towards others. The author's argument can be summed up by this: "The question, therefore, is whether we can turn our self-imposed isolation and division into the wholeness of friendship and health that would constitute our salvation. For this task, the work of prayer, which is the work of attention and responsibility, is essential” (100).

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