I remember standing by Niagara Falls and being speechless in the presence of God's majesty and glory. Years later I felt a similar way as I stood behind glass and looked at my first child in the hospital nursery. Maybe you want to say something but can't find the words to fully express yourself. If so, you'll do what you have to do in order to say it. That's why I learned sign language.
I'm unusual in that I know sign language but have never spoken to a deaf person or have aspiration to do so. That's because I sign to God who not only hears what I say, but knows what I'm not saying. I'm thankful God doesn't just listen to my words that are so often inadequate. But when I lift up my hands to pray, I can often show Him things I have difficulty telling Him. After all, any language is in its simplest form, communicating to someone who understands what you're saying.
Have you ever stopped to consider there are thousands of words in a dictionary that your lips will never utter? In sign language, you can say more and say it faster than what you can by using the limited words you know in your native tongue. Think about it; in English, you learn nouns, verbs, objects and adjectives in order to construct meaningful sentences. It's possible to sign the English language, but American Sign Language, or ASL, can be communicated with one simple hand movement or facial expression without opening your mouth. Both are languages in their own right.
In any functional language someone must understand what you're saying and you must understand what they say to you. Since I'm talking to God in sign, He doesn't use sign back to me, so you might be wondering how never reading sign, I learned it. I've found that when you do anything enough, it becomes a natural response. I'm speaking of both prayer and sign.
Prayer and sign language are distinct activities in that I can pray and never want to learn sign and can sign and never want to pray. I had a strong desire to pray long before I desired to learn sign language. When I pray and don't know how to sign my words, I find out how and pray it over and over until I'm familiar with it. Doing this for some time, I've become fairly proficient, but you might be wondering if I'm still doing it? Anyone who thinks they've learned enough is admitting they haven't.
In the past God used signs and wonders to reveal Himself and show Himself mighty. Today, His power is made manifest through the Holy Spirit who lives in His children. Thank about it: the biggest sign and wonder ever performed is not only living in us, but knows our heart, thoughts, motives and what we say before we say it. I've found when I pray He constantly reminds me I'm closer than I was, but not as nearly as close as I need to be.