In many of our prayers, we speak to God, but we don’t ask Him to speak back to us. In fact, we might be afraid to hear from God, knowing that He might say something to us that we don’t want to hear. He might tell us “no” to the request we have asked, or He might ask us to do something that we don’t really want to do. Because of this, we might be like the children of Israel, who once said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen; but let not God speak to us, or we will die.” They wanted someone to be a go-between, a mediator, for them with God. But instead of asking the request of the children of Israel, I believe we should pray this prayer from 550 years ago:
Let not God speak to us or we will die? Not so, Lord, not so do I pray. Rather with Samuel the prophet I entreat humbly and earnestly: “Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.” Do not let Moses or any of the prophets speak to me; but You speak, O Lord God, Who inspired and enlightened all the prophets; for You alone, without them, can instruct me perfectly, whereas they, without You, can do nothing. They, indeed, utter fine words, but they cannot impart the Holy Spirit. They do indeed speak beautifully, but if You remain silent they cannot inflame the heart. They deliver the message; You lay bare the sense of the message. They place before us mysteries, but You unlock their meaning. They proclaim commandments; You help us to keep them. They point out the way; You give strength for the journey. They work only outwardly; You instruct and enlighten our hearts. They water on the outside; You give the increase. They cry out words; You give understanding to the hearer.
…Speak, therefore, Lord, for Your servant listens. “Thou hast the words of eternal life.” Speak to me for the comfort of my soul and for the amendment of my life, for Your praise, Your glory, and Your everlasting honor.
–Thomas à Kempis