...and golden bowls

        full of incense,

which are

the prayers of the saints.

              Revelation 5. 8

(Our prayers

are a sweet aroma to God,

so precious 

that He keeps them forever,

not as a stored up memory

         of what has been,

        of things over and done,

but what is even now,

     beyond the borders

     of what we know and see.

Prayer never ceases

           in its effects.

Prayer has no expiration date.)

O LORD,

You invented prayer 

as an ongoing conversation,

not just to communicate

but to commune with You,

sometimes far beyond

   what words can contain.

Thank You that 

     we can talk to You,

that You listen and respond

   and hold our words 

         as precious to You,

that we can bring both

         the cries of our heart

   and praises to You.

For Your Kingdom,

for Your glory,

in Your holy Name.

When we seek You,

we will find You,

    not just an answer.