Verbal prayers make sense, I think, if you know in advance that talking to God is like talking to your dog.  You say human words to your dog, but he pretty much ignores that in favor of how you smell.  Similarly, whatever divinity there is hears your words of prayer but very likely ignores all you say in favor of the aroma of your heart: your kindness, your compassion – for both your own poor soul and for your have-not brothers and sisters in the world.  But the words of your prayer do matter to you: they give shape to your thoughts; they warm and give color to your soul and spur you to a focused listening.

-William Cleary