Speaking with Thought

Whether you pray alone
Or in the presence of others,
Try never to pray simply as a matter of routine
But always with conscious awareness
Of what you are doing.

Evagrios of Pontus

“Good morning. How are you this morning?”

“Great.”

“Good.”

We take our coffee and move to the next meeting, the next conversation, or the next bit of direction. Our words in all of these are so often routine and casual, given no real thought whatsoever.

Leaders will not find the new idea, the best edge or the next great lesson until they are aware of what happens around them and of what they say. Introspection about what we ask, instruct and converse engages us in a conversation in such a way that we can actually provide real leadership.

Prayer is much like conversation.