Prayer is concerned with receiving from God – but that does not mean it is passive. Prayer seeks to actively receive from God, which requires that we actively reject that which is not from God: lies and false ideas that are opposed to what God has revealed to us about who he is and how he relates to us. Active receptivity and active rejectivity both occur within the context of a relationship, encapsulated by the question, “Jesus, what are you doing?”

What is prayer? How can I hear God’s voice? How can I discern his will and pursue my vocation? Father Dominic Bouck, chaplain of the University of Mary, discussed these questions with Monsignor Thomas J. Richter, a priest of the Diocese of Bismarck known for his insights into Christian prayer, spiritual direction, and vocational discernment. Reflecting on their experiences in parish ministry and working with students of all ages, Msgr. Richter and Fr. Bouck present a profound and lively view of Christian prayer.

Prime Matters (www.primematters.com) is a groundbreaking project of educational outreach of the University of Mary: "Awakening the Catholic Imaginative Vision."