The Phenomenology of Prayer: Prayer as a Nonpresence

12/4/15

In the book, Phenomenology of Prayer, the quote “prayer may be defined as the experience of a nonpresence” is stated. The excerpt then goes on to say, however, that such a nonpresence can only be something or nothing. If the action of prayer is the experience of something, then nonpresence is considered “something.” If prayer is the experience of nothing, then nonpresence is also nothing and hence is not experienceable. The author states that prayer cannot experience a nonpresence that is nothing. It is discussed in this passage that prayer seeks to experience God as a non-experience. This particular excerpt depicts one specific way that the action of prayer can be interpreted.