Prayer is the search for silence amidst noise.  Is that how you feel? Are the noises in your head and the noise all around you disrupting your spiritual connection? That’s how Nechemia Polen felt when he wrote those words. He goes on to ask: Failing to hear the voice of our spirit, can we hear the voice of God?

Amanda felt like she was cracking up. It was getting harder and harder for her to focus when she prayed. Her thoughts were in constant conversation. It was as if there was a buzzing inside her head of ideas, song lyrics, and useless information coming from who knows where. If her spirit called, how could she possibly hear it?

One day when Amanda was at her son’s soccer game, she saw a little girl with Down’s syndrome playing on the sidelines. She got in a great kick and the ball went flying. The child was bursting with joy and Amanda was there to catch some. At the precise moment when her heart caught hold of happy, her mind cleared and caught the sound of God’s voice.  Right there in the middle of noise galore, was the awareness of God’s presence, which was so elusive in her fixed prayers.

Now Amanda doesn’t insist on silence with her prayers. She goes with the flow in her head and keeps her eyes open to the noisy wonder of God’s miracles.

Everyday is a day for prayer.
Make this one special
as I offer prayers to You:
In gratitude,
In glory,
On behalf of Your children
who are unable to recognize Your wonders.
Praise to You, Oh God who hears prayer.