The Phenomenology of Prayer #1: Samuel's Prayer

"Prayer is a deep, decentering of the self." The whole premise of prayer is to deconstruct the preoccupation of the self and wholly focus on the being of God. This is the idea of kenosis which means self emptying. This is an essential part of prayer and is seen in Samuel's prayer to God. According to 1 Samuel 3:4 God calls out to Samuel in the night. "Here I am," is the ready response of Samuel to the call of God. He demonstrates the role as listener and worshipper to God in his response to the Lord calling him. Samuel demonstrates his response to God as a prayer within itself. Samuel recognizes the ever present nature of God. He immediately accepts his role as servant and God as master in his response. There is a immediate readiness and humbleness in Samuel's response to God. In the simple "Here I am" response of Samuel he demonstrates the role of the one who prays. This role being one that is ready to be at the Lord's disposal. There is a recognition of distinction being one that is created and the one who is Creator.

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