That glazed-over eyes, the foggy detached look are  tell-tale signs that your conversation partner was being perfunctory when he/she asked, “How are you doing?” And you, mistaking sincerity, answered his/her question with all honesty. I don’t know about you, but I expect a person’s complete presence when listening to an answer of a question he/she asked.

That’s the way it is with prayer. We supplicate, ask, request, and plead of God, but are we attune to His omnipresence? Do we forget to watch for the results of our entreaties?

It’s springtime in Central Texas and I love opening all my windows to let the fresh air in. I’ll put on an extra sweater just to inhale that invigorating breeze and benefit from its awaited revitalizing benefits. Likewise, with God. How can we expect Him to open the windows of his grace, his constant benevolence, if we will not open the windows of expectation and breathe in the timely promised answers?

Let complete devotional readiness hold hands with patient anticipation, and we will be prepared to recognize the answers to our prayers.

Is your prayer conversation finely tuned to listening?