“There has never been a time in my life when I was excited about prayer. I’ve never really understood it fully. I saw prayer as a way to conform my will to God’s, and that is certainly a part of it. But I never really expected my prayers to be answered. I was afraid of disappointment so, as a preemptive strike, I set my sights low.

“I’m not quite sure what it is (save the grace of God), but that veil of fearful cynicism is lifting. Over the Leaders’ Day Retreat, through conversations and prayers shared with fellow exec-team members, I saw my heart begin to thaw as we discussed the prayer life of our fellowship, our own prayer lives, and what we could do to encourage growth and nurture our rather inconsistent moments of talking with God.

“These simple exchanges had a profound effect on me. For the first time in a long time, I feel as though I can approach God with humility, not for a moment expecting a cold and infinite silence, but rather the loving touch of Someone who knows me better than I know myself. . . Someone who has my best interests at heart, even when I don’t, and who will always, always, hear my prayers.”