Two states of pure prayer are exalted above all others. One is to be found in those who have not advanced beyond the pratice of the virtues, the other in those leading the contemplative life. The first in engendered in the soul by fear of God and a firm hope in Him, the second byan intense longing for God and by total purification. The sign of the first is that the intellect, abandoning all conceptual images of the world, concentrates itself and prays without distraction or disturbance as if God Himself were present, as indeed He is. The sign of the second is that at the very onset of prayer the intellect is so ravished by the divine and infinite light that it is aware neither of itself nor of any other created thing, but only of Him who through love has activated such radiance in it. It is then that, being made aware of God's qualities, it receives clear and distinct reflections of Him. (Maximos the Confessor)

In each example we "concentrate... as if God himself were present, as indeed He is."

The Old Testament can be read as a long story of a failure to communicate. Again and again God offers his love and counsel.

From the clarity of the one restriction at Eden, to the principles outlined at Sinai, through prophets, priests, and scripture God tries to get our attention.

Paradoxically, we are often most attentive when we perceive God has withdrawn.

At least for me, one of the most important messages of the New Testament is God assuring us that even - perhaps especially - in pain and failure, God is with us. If we will open our eyes to see and our ears to hear.