July 20, 2025 Reconnecting Through Silence: The Art of Listening in Prayer

What if everything you thought about prayer is backward? What if the real power of prayer isn't in what you say to God, but in what you allow God to say to you?

This eye-opening conversation challenges the conventional understanding of prayer across religious traditions. Through the lens of the Martha and Mary story from Luke's Gospel, we discover that Jesus wasn't criticizing service itself, but rather the anxious spirit that prevents true presence. The "better part" that Mary chose wasn't laziness but the posture of a disciple – sitting, listening, and receiving.

Our interfaith panel unpacks the etymology of "religion" itself – coming from "religio," meaning to reconnect. This fundamental insight reveals the true purpose of prayer: not to change God's mind, but to allow ourselves to be transformed through divine encounter. The Catholic concept of "concupiscence" (our tendency toward disordered desires) meets the Jewish understanding of prayer as attunement, creating a rich theological tapestry that transcends denominational boundaries.

We explore the balance between structured prayer (what Judaism calls "kevah") and heartfelt intention ("kavanah"), recognizing that both serve essential spiritual functions. The panel shares practical wisdom about contemplative versus active prayer, petition versus thanksgiving, and how even our service can become prayer when done with the right spirit.

Whether you're spiritually curious or deeply devout, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on how prayer can become less about religious performance and more about authentic connection. By shifting from speaking to listening, we discover the transformative power of true presence with the divine.

Ready to revolutionize your prayer life? Listen now and discover what happens when we finally stop talking and start truly hearing.