Catholic Wisdom

"Prayer is nothing but a simple exchange between friends, it seems to me. It is a conversing frequently and alone with the One who we know loves us. And if you don't love Him, (because, for love to be real and for friendship to be lasting, certain conditions must be fulfilled ) then prayer means realizing how much it does concern you to have His friendship and how much He loves you, and thus you undergo the ordeal of being often with One who is so different from you."

—Saint Teresa of Jesus (Avila), Life of, ch.8.