We may think we have never heard God speaking to us. But he has been talking to us from the moment he spoke the word that created us.... From our birth to the present, he has been putting thoughts in our minds and desires in our hearts. So whether we realize it or not, all of our prayer is really a response to God's initiatives.
Prayer, then, is an opening to God, who wants to speak with us. We want to encounter him so that he can engage us in conversation. If that is to happen, when we pray we must first make ourselves aware of God's presence. Coming into God's presence is like looking up from reading the newspaper and noticing your best friend has entered the room. He has been sitting by the fireplace, desiring a visit. You say his name and acknowledge his presence. Then you begin to converse with him.
(This quote comes from Everyday Encounters with God, by Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R. and Bert Ghezzi -- it appeared in the Aug. 31st Living Faith daily devotional.)
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