There is something within each of us that pulls us in the direction of God. There is a God-shaped empty place in us that will not be satisfied with anything less than God. Often we look for life in all the wrong places, only to discover that what Augustine said is true, “Thou hast made us for Thyself O God, and our hearts are restless ‘til they find their rest in Thee.”

God has given us the gift of prayer as the primary means by which we make connection with God and send our roots into the meaning of life. Let me give you my definition of prayer: Prayer is anything you do with a conscious awareness of God. It is what Brother Lawrence described as “practicing the presence of God.” Whatever you are doing, you are aware of God, and open to His guidance and His strength.

Clearly, Jesus was a…