It was a tough week at the St Edmunds, where I teach. In keeping the winter break alive after superstorm Sandy, the school had midterms and classes at the same time. (Usually we just have a midterm week, no classes) This was tough on the students who had to study for three midterms on the same day. It is also tough for instructors who have to juggle teaching with grading these exams. Life is like that. It throws curveball after curveball, daring us to hit it out of the park. It is during these times that we need our God. Strength  from the Spirit, and guidance by God's grace, allow us to meet these everyday challenges head on. But we can't hit the pitch without practice. Our practice for hearing Gods word, is prayer. how often should one pray? Like reconciliation, we can pray as often as we feel necessary but I would suggest, at the very least, morning and evening prayers. Begin the day asking for God's blessing. End the day, thanking God for all the day brought. I have prayed morning and evening since I was ordained. To be truthful, it was missing in my life priorto ordination. I lost this practice for several months a while back, and once I began again, I relaized that I had been lost for those months. Tonight...... pray. Quietly with no words if you like, or silently with prayers you were taught as a child. Or just converse with God. His line is never busy. peace.