"Inspired to Pray"

"Advent should be the most prayerful time of the year."

The room grew hushed as the little man's voice dropped. There is a quiet reverence in his voice.

"It's a time of deep feelings. A time of poetry. Spiritual poetry. A time of longing. Of expectation."

We are a bunch of Presbyterians. Spellbound by a Catholic priest. By the depth of his devotion. What I love about my church is that we learn about God from a lot of faithful people. In January we'll hear from a Rabbi and an Imam.

Wednesday night is church night. My son goes to confirmation class. I usually catch an adult education class. Tonight's was about prayer.

The quality of any relationship, you see, depends entirely on the quality of the communication within that relationship. Prayer, Father Michael points out, is communication with God.

Prayer is listening.

Prayer is speaking.

Mostly prayer is listening.

I don't always listen well.


I have spent the past few days worrying about what hasn't gotten done around the house what with all the holiday concerts and events. What with shopping and work and , yes, blogging.

Maybe I should worry more about whether we're neglecting the more important things.

"Most good and gracious God. I am listening... "