Scripture: Jesus replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it." Luke 11:28

Prayer: I stood on a ribbon of sand facing into a steady breeze, watching quietly as a ribbon of orange-red widened to hasten the dawn. Help me hear the Lord's voice on a stunning early morning as well as in a downfall of tears.

Response: Standing motionless on a beach listening is no different than sitting still in meditation, is no different that witnessing and participating liturgy attentively, and is no different than hearing the pleadings of a neighbor silently expressed. In all such examples it is the Lord that you hear working His will grace-fully in your life.

Hear and acknowledge are your only requirements. What are you acknowledging? Indeed, you are acknowledging His love in your life and in those around you. And what about hearing? The Lord's words and guidance are not an occasional phenomenon but an ever present voice that consoles, encourages, sustains you in all aspects of your life.

Hear His voice today as if for the first time. Take note of why this day He is especially clear. Then decide what you would have to do to replicate such clarity on a daily basis.