When God is Silent

There are times when our prayer seems to rise only to bounce off a brick wall. No response. Frozen silence. Does God sometimes choose to remain silent? Yes. Why? To stretch our faith, purify the purpose of our prayer, purify us. Are we always looking for a comforting answer? An immediate answer? We're so used to "having it MY way", that no response is interpreted as rejection, and the temptation is to resolve "not to bother with God again", thinking God doesn't care. God knows us, and is not offended by this kind of thinking or acting, but will continue to invite us to come to him with our burdens and labors, and find rest for our souls. (cf. Mt. 11:28-30).
If we look at the silence as the loving silence that exists between friends or spouses where there is such a union of souls, such a level of comfort and trust that words are not necessary, then this divine silence begins to make sense. God is there as always with total love, as present in the silence as in the comforting word. Silence becomes a stronger statement than words. It's up to us to grow into this level of relationship, which asks us to relinquish, let go of our expectations, and let God in his time give us the favor of feeling his presence or hearing his answer. Again, Advent...waiting, transformation. It all fits together.
Bro. Rene