Morning Prayer Reflection: Are we ever still enough to hear the voice of God?

"I will place my law within them, and write it upon their hearts. They shall be my people and I shall be their God." Jeremiah 31:33 (NAB)

"In the silence of the heart, God speaks." These are the wise words of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta. The mystics in the Church throughout the years can tell of the sheer ecstasy achieved when that contemplative union with God is reached in stillness. Yet, for most of us, even if we can still our bodies long enough to sit and pray, our minds are near impossible to silence. Henri Nouwen writes of the challenge to work through the infinte soundtracks of our minds and hearts, plagued with worries and thoughts, to reach that place where only the voice of God remains. It is not achieved in a day, but through a persistent practice of prayer (say THAT 10 times quickly!) where we invite the Holy Spirit to take from us all the cares of the world and allow us into that sanctuary within us where Christ resides, to do nothing but be with Him and listen to that voice of God that resides within us.

Are we so desperate for God that we seek that kind of prayer? Do we allow ourselves to be still - mind, body and soul? It is a perfect time as the weekend approaches to take that challenge - be still with God.