The Answer to Prayer is Prayer

Many are looking for answers; some are looking for better questions.

Along the way, as we pray, our Life becomes a Prayer. I was reminded by Thomas Merton’s encouragement: as we come to God “the desire to please you, pleases you.”

When I came upon the following quote, I was struck by how the desire to pray is a prayer in itself; feeble, tentative, confused or passionate…

“The answer to prayer is prayer – more prayer, fuller conversation, more listening, more straining to hear, more reflection on what is actually heard, on what has really happened.”

Ann and Barry Ulanov, quoted in Candlelight, Susan S. Phillips.

The “more-ness” of this is not an exhortation to self-striving or hoarding a good thing; it is an invitation to the more that is found in relation with the subject and object of prayer. We may want more; but we often don’t know what we want; we want to be heard; we strain and strive; we learn to rest and speak or be silent when we are with the One who made us for Himself.

May your answer to prayer be the prayer that God beckons from you and with you.