He already knows, so why pray?

In today's Gospel we hear Jesus encouraging us with the words, "Your Father already knows what you need before you ask him." Well, that's great, but then why do I have to ask? And, if he knows, why doesn't he do something about it? We'll leave this second question for another day. Today, let's just take a quick look at the simple question: Why pray?

As a teenager I remember "giving up" praying. I stopped altogether, because I knew that God knew what I wanted, so why bother? After a rude wake-up, I considered a simple fact. The Lord wills our participation in his saving work. He wants us to be a part of his miracles, his compassion, his creation. Prayer lets us be one with God.

One with God, that is the second catch. As the Our Father says, we pray "Thy will be done." Jesus gave us the example in Gethsemane, and Our Lady at the Annunciation. Prayer gives us the opportunity to consciously align our will with the Will of God. Since it is creative, as a union with God, it also helps transform us and conform us to that Will.

However, we don't need to "babble."  A priest recently suggested a 90/10 split. No less than 90% listening and no more than 10% talking. When we pray, we ask, but we don't need to talk the whole time. We let the Lord know where we are, what we want, etc... and then silence.

What do you think? Can you do this exercise? Do you already? Concretely speaking this means 1 minute of vocal/speaking prayer and 9 minutes of listening/silent prayer. If you can't find nine minutes, how about a small ejaculation and 60 seconds of silence?

As my dad has often said, "Be quiet and listen."

and "Help them before they cry."

I guess he and the heavenly Father have more in common than I thought!