Attune our Ears to Hear; A prayer

I am currently reading Luigi Gioia’s book, ‘Touched by God – the way to contemplative prayer’, which has become a timely reminder to someone who naturally feels every minute of the day should be spent ‘doing something’ that I may be missing out on some important aspects of prayer, which is not simply sitting down, closing our eyes and talking. Prayerful contemplation of Scripture, letting the words leave the page and enter our hearts, or as Gioia says ‘when we start feeling something in our reading of Scripture and in prayer’ is important, rather than simply reading the words quickly and closing the book. Becoming more aware of God’s presence in and around us, be it in the cool wind coming off the ocean or along a walk to the local shops, can also become valuable moments of contemplation, listening and prayer.

I’m only halfway through the book, but I leave you with this quote from a French Priest John Vianney: ‘Prayer is nothing else than union with God. It never leaves us without sweetness. It is honey that flows into the soul and makes all things sweet…’

My prayer for today: