The prayers of the faithful ring out in faith-filled congregations
religious groups of every faith and nationality.
Yet does Divinity respond?
Is there here reality?

In praying for others we show them that we care;
we demonstrate our love and our concern,
but does God also listen, absorb, act ?
Are our worries reflected
in divine response?

With many words we call out our requests to God
so sharing our needs with each other
sharing the pain of our existence
hopes for our tomorrow.
And with our ears
God listens.

For our prayers are reflected back to us for action
either directly as we hear another's need, or
in the whispered lure of God's voice
to fulfill the needs of others,
to act and rectify
injustice.

Yet we need to listen carefully for God's voice
not loudly demanding justice or provision
but, in silence, offering what we can do;
listening for divinity in open humility
ready to give not to receive.

In prayer we need to look for divine direction
not providing directions for divinity,
but asking God for guidance,
for what we should do,
write, think or say.

Action
is man's perogative.

Direction is divine.

See also "A New Christianity" by Bishop John Spong. Chapter 11.
“Nothing fails to work better, or more frequently, than prayer."

In the silence of our prayers
God speaks, can speak, clearly.
As we open ourselves to God
God gladly fills the gap.

In the half-light of sleep,
God speaks, invades our dreams;
Tells us what and when
and sometimes why.

Under the clamour of guitars,
God's whisper finds its way;
Reclaims our deafened ear
with shouts of wonder.

In the wonder of sunlit greenery,
God whispers of all creation;
Exposing its every wonder,
Claiming our attention

In the daily news of our hurting world,
God's voice impales our selfish minds;
Pity for the lost, the hopeless,
Shame over our inaction.

In the silence of our prayers,
God's calls us to respond.
Do we dare to listen,
Take the risk?