Prayer is listening

I subscribe to a lot of online newsletters, because it helps me to maintain a broader perspective and generates new ideas.  I ran across one yesteday that held a real challenge for me.

In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. — Matthew 6: 7-8

This is directly before Jesus introduces his Disciples to the Lord’s Prayer.  That prayer is simple and straightforward, definitely not babbling.

We Catholics seem to like to fill things up with words, petitioning God to hear our every need and want.

But God already knows that.  He doesn’t really need me to tell him what I want.

Instead, I need to create space for listening.  I tried doing that in my prayers last night, and it was quite difficult, even for someone trained as a coach.  My problem was:  What am I listening for?  Emotions?  Insights?  Burning bushes?

This will be a challenge for me, but it feels very right.  I’ll challenge all of you as well:  Are you taking enough time to listen to God?