Listening is also prayer. When I explain to retreatants or spiritual companions that prayer is not a monologue but a dialogue and that I believe our Creator wants to commune with us, they are often surprised. Like me, they were taught specific forms of prayer, such as petitionary or intercessory prayer, prayers of gratitude, and prayers of contrition. To pause, be still, and listen? They’re not sure that even counts. I often remind people that the words silent and listen contain exactly the same letters, just rearranged. One must be silent to truly listen.
