THE SECRET to the fulfillment of every need lies in our responsiveness to the Spirit of God within us. When we pray, we often ask God for some specific answer, but we find, as we become an open and willing channel for His Spirit, that we are no longer asking but re- sponding to His goodness.

Prayer and meditation should always quicken our responses to life and make us more keenly aware of our relation to God and to the world. In the silence, as we learn to abide in God, everything in us responds to His presence. Our thoughts are charged with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit; the feelings of our heart are converted and blessed by God's love; the cells of our body respond and glow with light and life; our imagination is heightened and we are imbued with divine power to achieve any goal we desire.

Sometimes our attitude toward God's inspiration may be like that described in the 33rd chapter of Ezekiel. The Lord God, speaking to Ezekiel, said: "They (the people) come to you... and they sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say but they will not do it...you are to them like one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice... they hear what you say, but they will not do it."

There is a vast difference between real responsiveness to God and the surface enthusiasm for spiritual Truth that causes many to listen for a time and then relapse into old ways of thought and behavior. If we are lazy in our prayer habits, or lethargic in responding to life, we should arouse our faith and put it to work. Our awakened spirit responds wholly and joyfully to our Creator, rising up in praise and rejoicing to the Lord of our being.

Take the idea of responsiveness to God and make it a part of your daily prayer and meditation. Think of yourself as wholly responsive to His Spirit in you, and the inner spiritual quickening that you experience will enable you to see beyond all adverse appearances to the reality of His eternal goodness.

When you pray about anything, pray also for a responsive spirit. When you pray for health, be responsive to God's healing power in you. When you pray for guidance, affirm your responsiveness to the light of the Holy Spirit within you and around you. Should you pray for prosperity, respond in thought to the unfailing substance of God out of which all supply is made manifest. Your faith makes you responsive to God in prayer. We see you blessed and happy, receiving richly of His bountiful good and re- sponding joyfully to life.

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