There is a sumptuous vision within the writings of many spiritual mothers and fathers which describes prayer as a genuine pathway to divine encounter and transformation (dare I write: transfiguration?). Many of them draw on Luke 11:13 — " If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" Put simply, God responds to our longing, genuine prayers with love, generosity, mercy