How can we ever hope to be transformed from the inside out into the likeness of Christ? One important way is through prayer. In her book, "When the Soul Listens", Jan Johnson explains how imperative it is to spend time in prayer with God – not just talking but also listening, allowing God to fill us with His thoughts and desires. She quotes Amy Carmichael: “Holy Spirit, think through me till your ideas are my ideas.” Prayer is the way to start thinking like Christ....which leads to living, breathing and loving like Christ. Johnson shows us that when we are centered on ourselves and trying to be a “good Christian” our obedience is joyless and fruitless – but when we use prayer to center on the nature and character of God, it will be not only our desire but our delight to do God's will. ( )