The Faith of Prayer

Each word of prayer is that much faith in God,
my praying little shows my faith is small,
if I pray much, my faith is not facade,
if I pray not, then there's no faith at all.
What is my prayer except my faith's expression?
What is my faith if not expressed in prayer?
The outward words reflect a deep impression,
we show in word the thing that's really there.
The words aloud need not be loudly said,
they may be only told in silent thought;
they may be ours, they may be only read,
spontaneous words, or prayers that we've been taught.
The fool scoffs at words sent to no one there,
but God, Who made fools too, answers our prayer.

                                -- by Pete Voelz         2/04