tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10162037.post8046574186359715751..comments2020-06-26T03:06:08.524-05:00Comments on Thoughts from Rabbi Phyllis: Prayer in a Twitter WorldPhyllis Sommerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654761832717723000noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10162037.post-69851425975295023762009-10-01T12:07:06.084-05:002009-10-01T12:07:06.084-05:00You wrote, "But prayer is about finding the t...You wrote, "But prayer is about finding the time to turn off the cell phone, the blackberry, the email, Facebook and Twitter."<br /><br />I have been thinking about this a lot lately. (esp over the HHDs) My students have SUCH a hard time leaving their cell phones behind for anything. ANYTHING. I read somewhere (any idea where I read it, I can't remember) a few years ago that part of the purpose of the first commandment in the Big Ten is to remind us of the importance of primacy in our relationships. In other words, that when we are praying - our primary focus relationship is between us and God and we should actually attend to that. When we are teaching, the relationship is us and out students - and we attend to that. On a date, us and the person across the table (or wherever) and we should attend to that. And when we are texting or on the phone (one could then extend the idea) our attention should be on that person. I've been thinking about the difference between multi-tasking to get things done and split attention. My dishes don't care if I'm also doing the laundry and if I have music on in the background and a notebook to jot down program ideas not one of them feels slighted. But even the challah can feel badly when we're blessing the juice, right? How much more so the person in front of me when I stop making eye contact so I can check my phone? <br /><br />Then I wonder about God - I've often heard that God doesn't need our prayers, but we are given prayer because we need to pray. I'm not so sure. If God is also in search of us, if God created us not only for our sake, but also for God's sake - a partner in creation . . . there is at least a solid chance God might like us to check in now and then, and give a little undivided attention to our relationship with God. <br /><br />Thank you for this!Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15741325467027799330noreply@blogger.com