All prayer should be done in dialog with the Lord, not one sided. Since Our Lord is the wisest participant in the conversation, He should be the one that does the most talking, and we the most listening.

Ideally, our time in prayer should be spent in mediation, and finally union. Many of us never get to that level but that doesn't mean we are not capable or shouldn't try. Jesus said to "be perfect as Our Heavenly Father is perfect." It is a direct comand and the Lord wouldn't require us to do something that is impossible. For this reason, I have ended this collection of prayers, "Prayers of the Great Saints," with the prayer of Samuel, "Speak, Lord, your servant is listening." and then silence.

Praying with the "great saints" teaches us how to pray, what to ask for, the disposition of the heart, etc., by their example. But we can't stop there. These people got up early for prayer, went to Mass very often, grew in humility and charity, and were silent most of the time that, when they did speak, their words were profound and worth listening to.

I hope that someday, our nature responding to grace, we shall all be great saints.

"Pray without ceasing."

God bless you-- Donna

What others have said:

"I have listened to her music for over 5 years. She has talent in all areas: the music compositions, lyrics, and an awesome voice. All the songs on this album are beautiful and at different times during the peaks and valleys of life, there are exactly what I have needed to hear. This is my favorite of her albums. My children and I love the Great Saints and OCF for driving in the car. Her style is very much like other popular Christian music.  Her music is different in 2 ways. It is authentically Catholic. She offers a spiritual Communion, prays for souls in purgatory, explains the Mass, and shares the awesome spirituality of the saints, who have so much to share about being a true Christian. I also memorized much Scripture through her lyrics (The prayer of a righteous person availeth much, James 5:16 in Hail Mary, etc.)  One comforting lyric that strikes me over and over is "all things are passing" (St. Teresa of Avila) "God alone is enough for me. I want for nothing because I am His own. I have everything in God alone."  I hate to mention only one because they are all just as moving, depending on your season. The second way her music is different is that they feel like actual prayers. At times I turn off Christian music to pray as I travel. Popular Christian songs are prayers (usually praise) though they also teach moral lessons and encourage virtue, but to me are for rest. Donna's songs are active prayer. They are calling on God for the mercies and gifts we greatly need each day.  Through them, I can truly know God's grace and presence." - Marianna de Lachica

"Spiritual a duplifting for people of all faiths and ages. Moving and thoughtful, the music sirs the soul and mind." - envirotech (through Amazon)

"Great for kids! We have a 3 year old and 4 year old that learned the lyrics to these songs/prayers quickly and it's their trampoline jumping CD. I'm glad they know the lyrics to these prayers that actually have value rather than useless words that don't." - M. Bach

"Beautiful album from an amazing singer."