Prayer is Whispering -

Psalm 31:2 (NIV)
 Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.

I know of a kindergarten teacher who learned the way to communicate best with her young students was to speak very softly.  She learned when the children are loud and excited about something they were doing; it was difficult to get their attention.  She found herself raising her voice to be heard and discovered that only added to the volume in her classroom.  So, she tried speaking softly, all the time.  When she would greet them in the morning and instruct them throughout the day, she used an 'inside' voice.  It didn't take long before the decibels in the room lowered considerably.

This change helped to provide order and calm to every day.  By decreasing the noise, the desire to listen increased.  Maybe you can relate to this practice.  There was a time when I thought the only way to get noticed was by being bold or loud.  But sometimes the best way to be heard is to be silent.  Being still quiets the heart.  Speaking softly or whispering gives the impression you have something important to say.

I think that is why I love writing down my prayers. This practice helps me feel secure and even calm and peace filled.  There are times when I need to shout out to God, when I fear He doesn't hear me, but more often I am released from fear when I quietly talk to God, write down my petitions.  It is then I feel heard.  

God hears us at any sound level.  "Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD." (Psalm 31:24)  God responds to our shouts of grief and agony and pain.  He also responds to those unspoken prayers.  The words we say only in our hearts during those times when words fail us or we are choked by emotion.

Psalm 31 and 32 and 33.