Speaking to Our Lord

Listening is difficult. It’s also a very important part of prayer. If one is having trouble listening to our Lord, should we not speak? We are warned not to “babble like the pagans” (Mt 6:7) who only wish to hear themselves speak. So how should we converse with our Lord? St. Faustina relates to us in Divine Mercy in My Soul:

Today, the Lord said to me, My daughter, I am told that there is much simplicity in you, so why do you not tell Me about everything that concerns you, even the smallest detail? Tell Me about everything, and know that this will give Me great joy. I answered, “But you know about everything, Lord.” And Jesus replied to me, Yes, I do know; but you should not excuse yourself with the fact that I know, but with childlike simplicity talk to Me about everything, for My ears and heart are inclined towards you, and your words are dear to Me. (921).

So while it is true that “[Our] Father knows what you need before you ask him” (Mt 6:8) it should not stop you from asking anyway, for it brings much joy to the heart of the Savior. And how much truth I have discovered in this being a parent. It fills my heart with joy when my little daughter talks endlessly about all the things that have transpired in her day. Do I understand what she says? Hardly. Is there ever a complete thought in her sentences? Rarely. But it doesn’t matter. What matters is that what she says is important to her – and to her father who listens.