All prayer should be done in dialog with the Lord, not one sided. Since Our Lord is the wisest participant in the conversation, He should be the one that does the most talking, and we the most listening.

Ideally, our time in prayer should be spent in mediation, and finally union. Many of us never get to that level but that doesn't mean we are not capable or shouldn't try. Jesus said to "be perfect as Our Heavenly Father is perfect." It is a direct comand and the Lord wouldn't require us to do something that is impossible. For this reason, I have ended this collection of prayers, "Prayers of the Great Saints," with the prayer of Samuel, "Speak, Lord, your servant is listening." and then silence.

Praying with the "great saints" teaches us how to pray, what to ask for, the disposition of the heart, etc., by their example. But we can't stop there. These people got up early for prayer, went to Mass very often, grew in humility and charity, and were silent most of the time that, when they did speak, their words were profound and worth listening to.

I hope that someday, our nature responding to grace, we shall all be great saints.

"Pray without ceasing."

God bless you-- Donna