The scriptures of the world are filled with stories of people who held converse with God. The Bible alone mentions more than two dozen of them. "The Lord appeared to Solomon" (I Kings 5). "David inquired of God" (I Chronicles 14:10). "And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend"(Exodus 33:11).

If we believe these accounts, we must sincerely ask whether there are things we can do to assure that our own prayers generate a divine response. Yogananda provides unique insights.

"Talking with God is a definite fact". he begins. "And all of you, also, may communicate with Him; not a one-sided conversation, but a real talk wherein you speak to God and He responds". If we do not receive a response to our prayers, Yogananda tells us, the problem is not with God, but with us. "The average man prays to God with his mind only, not with all the fervor of his heart. Such prayers are too weak to bring any response. We should speak to the Divine Spirit with confidence and with a feeling of closeness, as to a father or a mother. ...A definite conception of God (such as the Divine Mother) is necessary, otherwise one does not receive a clear response".