Jesus says to us: And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Matthew 6:5. Apparently prayer should be practiced in humility. Prayer, Jesus tells us, is not for show or to draw attention to ourselves but rather an opportunity to seek the mercy, power and love of God. In this time of year in our part of the world perhaps we can think of the grayer days, the darker days as our seasonal quiet place. Very soon we will be able to throw open the windows of our homes to let the sunlight stream into darkened corners. But until then when the gray skies sheath the winter days perhaps we can seek God in the quiet shadows of our seasonal closet. God has allowed the rhythms of nature to remind us of our dependence upon Him. Winter seems stark, cold and indifferent but it can also be quiet, still and serene. Like the morning hours of every day, the beginning mont...