Most of us were taught to think of prayer as asking—asking God to do something, fix something, or change something. But prayer is far closer to dancing than it is to bargaining. It is not about forcing movement; it is about learning the rhythm.

In LUMEN, prayer begins with the conviction that God is already moving toward us. The Holy Spirit is not silent or distant. The Spirit is the music—steady, patient, and alive—always inviting, always encouraging, never shouting. Some hear it clearly while others barely notice it. Prayer is the practice of listening more deeply until the music becomes unmistakable.

When the dancer is in synch with the music it is beautiful. There are graceful flourishes and amazing leaps. The dance of life, when tuned in to the Spirit, is a wonderous joy.

Prayer is not changing God’s heart but joining Him to get His will done. Prayer attunes us to His will, and follows His lead. Like dancers leaning in to catch the beat, prayer trains us to recognize where the Spirit is already heading. Over time, we begin to move with confidence, not because we control the dance, but because we trust the One who set it in motion.

Prayer also helps others hear the music. A good dancer does not pull or shove a partner across the floor. They offer presence, timing, and invitation. In the same way, intercessory prayer does not override another person’s will. Love never does that. Instead, prayer surrounds them with light. It softens the noise, clarifies the rhythm, and makes the next faithful step feel possible. No one is dragged into holiness—but many are gently drawn when the music becomes clearer.

God, however, does far more than play the music. He also shapes the dance floor itself. While never violating human freedom, God freely transforms circumstances. He opens doors and closes others. He introduces pauses, obstacles, and unexpected turns that invite reflection and reorientation. A sudden need arises. A conversation appears at just the right moment. A familiar path becomes blocked, forcing a turn that brings new life.

This is not manipulation; it is orchestration. God does not coerce the dancer, but He can rearrange the room. He can slow the tempo, change the lighting, or alter the space so that grace becomes easier to choose and destruction harder to pursue. The dance floor is fully transformable—even while every step remains freely chosen.

Prayer is how we stay in sync with all of this. It is listening more closely to the music, moving more freely with the rhythm, and helping others recognize the dance they were already invited into. Prayer does not force the dance. It makes the dance possible.

In the end, prayer is not about control. It is about communion. It is the joy of discovering that God has been leading all along—and that holy love always moves at the speed of invitation.