As we move through Lent in prayer, read the words of Thomas Greene as a place to begin:

“Hearing or listening is a good metaphor for prayer. The good pray-er is above all a good listener. Prayer is dialogue; it is a personal encounter in love. When we communicate with someone we care about, we speak and we listen. But even our speaking is responsive: What we say depends upon what the other person has said to us. Otherwise we don’t have real dialogue, but rather two monologues running along side by side” (Opening To God).

During the season of Lent we want to be listening for the voice of God. It is a time to consider the self-giving of Jesus and to open ourselves up to his humble way. When we do this we are encouraged to open ourselves up to our neighbour and his or her pain so that the other is brought into our compassionate circle. 

True prayer invites us to reflect and desire the well-being of others. It is not simply a focusing on our own needs, wishes, convenience or comfort. It is a conversation which resonates with God’s purposes as we become instruments in His divine currents of love.

Prayer helps us to get our eyes off of our egos. It is a dialogue of listening and speaking: a communication linking God, the pray-er, and the one for whom we pray. When we engage in prayer we become a healing force in our broken world.

May this be our desire—to move prayerfully though this Lenten season—emanating peace, compassion and love.