Help Us To Listen

Gracious God, whenever we come to you in prayer, we are confident that you are listening.  But most of the time we do all the talking and you can't get a word in edgewise!  Help us to become better listeners.  When we pray, make us pause now and then to listen!  And when we talk with our loved ones, or our friends or co-workers, may we have the wisdom to concentrate all of our attention on what is being said, so we are better informed as to how we should reply.  Listening is hard for us, Lord; help us to be better listeners - to you and to one another.  In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.