Why has God never spoken to me? I was born and raised in the Catholic religion. In the beginning I was, as far as I can judge, a good Christian. 

But I never felt any connection to God while praying. It was like talking to myself. Nothing special happened. I’m not talking about God granting me anything earthly, but a little sign, maybe the feeling that he was watching would have been enough.

As time passed, I started to doubt more and more and eventually lost all interest in religion.

Now, several years later, I have a good (material) life. But it seems empty&mdash;no sense to it. People who believe appear happier.

I can understand why God would not want to manifest himself to me now. I've sinned a lot. 
But why didn’t he talk to me when I was younger and sinless? I didn’t need anything fancy like a bush on fire, but just a few words to keep me on the right path.

What do you think?
Reasons (my rantings) we can't talk to God - 


Result of our sin.



  Romans 3:23 "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"


We all inherit the sin of Adam. Adam could talk directly to God but as we fell from grace we lost access to divine grace. But one day we would talk to Him directly.


As a test. 


If one could see God face to face, Adolf Hitler would be singing glory hallelujah with tambourines and drums. No one would commit a crime in front of the police. Absence of God from the scene serves to separate the wheat from the chaff.


For our own good.


Those who could be in the presence of God and behaved as we did would drop dead in a second. As Christians we are supposed to go through this life building character and learning to resist sin so that we could be in the presence of Holiness.


God doesn't like hollywood style dramatic dialogues.


And neither does Satan. In real life you will never see Satan appear as Pazuzu. He comes in much more subtle forms. Its the whole concept of free will. Both Holy Spirit and Satan will only suggest things to you. You have to act upon them of your own free will. If Satan or God appeared before you and commanded you to do something there's very less of free will left. This is why God appeared to Ezekiel in all His glory but not to Israel. 


  Ezekiel 1:4 "I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north
  —an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant
  light. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal."


If he had appeared to Israel in that form they would've repented in ashes. But then as He says elsewhere 


  2 Opinions 3:1 "Thou shalt repent if thou art sorrowful in thine
  heart, not because I am the master of special effects."



Speaking to God won't produce faith.


Adam spoke to God, that didn't keep him from sinning. So did Cain, Solomon and most importantly - Satan.
The disciples had the same doubt as you do - 


  Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do you intend to
  show yourself to us and not to the world?" Jesus replied, "If anyone
  loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we
  will come to him and make our home with him.


If we do not love or obey Him nothing will produce faith - 


  Luke 16:31 " ... they will not be convinced even if someone rises from
  the dead."



Perhaps the same reason why the president won't talk to me.


Let's not be proud and forget our own positions in relation to God. It amazes me how I usually assign more respect to my earthly masters than to God himself.


  Ecclesiastes 5:2 "God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your
  words be few."



Perhaps He's afraid that once he engages me I just won't stop chattering. (True story)