Praying

What happens when we pray? This has been debated by theologians and the rest of us for millenia. We like to believe that God hears us. If we offer prayers of praise or gratitude, all He has to do is hear us. If this gives us warm fuzzies, or a feeling of satisfaction for having done our duty, is that a worthwhile result in itself? However, if our prayers are petitions—asking him for something—and that something comes to pass, are we quick to give him the credit, or do we wonder if it might just be a coincidence? If what we ask for doesn’t happen, perhaps we try to figure out why not. Was He listening? Does He not care? Is He delaying his answer? Is He REALLY saying “no,” or ”later,” or nothing? How can we tell? After decades of anguished deliberation, I have concluded that the primary purpose of my prayer is to bring me closer to God, my will closer to his. If I’m looking for any other answer, whether or not my petition is answered my way is incidental. The closer I become to him [talking to him, listening for and to him, reading about him, thinking about him, sharing him, worshipping him], the more my will seems to align itself with his. THAT is the precious result of my praying, the golden secret of a happy life!