(contributed by our Intercession leader)
The spirit and the bride say, “Come and let him who hears say Come. Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes let him take the free gift of the water of life. Rev22:17
Prayer Time
Prayer-To recognize His voice you need to know His voice. In order to know that you need to spend time with Him. Start first with a decision to want to spend time to be with Him as much as a lover wants to be with his beloved. Every human being wants to be loved and longs to be with those who love them. The same goes with our relationship with our Heavenly Father who loves us unconditionally.
Time-
Then decide which is the best time for this date with the Lord. It could be scheduled any time of the day, though most prefer it to be first thing in the morning. A special joy which you begin to experience as you walk with the Lord. Set aside the place and the time. If it is within your house other members should learn to respect your personal prayer time. This might be difficult in families that do not have prayer life.
You may wonder what am I suppose to do after that. Well you can start singing some praise songs or even keep some Christian music to start with.
Scipture-
Allot some time for it try and read Psalms or read scripture to get yourself used to this new date.
Initially it gets very difficult and all sorts of problems occur during that time. Prayer time is all about persistence.Some times it seems you are there and achieved it, sometimes you find your schedule just does not work. Do not be discouraged, but persist.
Luke 5:16
Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
If you do a study of the Gospel you will note that Jesus regularly spent time in prayer especially before His active ministry. He drew His strength through these closed moments with the Father. He understood the mind of the Heavenly Father and did just what He willed. If Jesus needed to do it how much more do mere mortals like us.
During the day try and ponder over what you read or even talk to Him as a companion asking Him what to do next. You will notice that your day is much more relaxed and easier to handle when you keep talking to the Lord. There are times you want quick results and it does not happen.
Listening-
John 10:27
My sheep listen to my voice;
Initially it starts as intuition, slowly as your fellowhip increase, you begin to recognise a voice guiding you. A voice like none other and as you see the result you will know that the Lord was there and you heard Him. The voice and presence remains with you and it slowly develops into a deep relationship which you long for. A fellowship you don’t want to miss and wait for that hour and as time passes it slowly moves on to the whole day. The Lord becomes your unseen companion.
The Lord then begins to purify you. If you are alert to his voice you notice your character changes and you slowly begin to get the image the potter wants you to have and your only role model is Jesus. The world and what it has to offer does not matter you move on spiritually to a new high. People around you especially your family notice the change in you and want to know more about it sometimes they know what it is . You slowly lead the next person to the potters wheel and you bloom into an Intercessor. Your only desire then is to save or pray for others need.The burden just flows into you as your companion holds your hand he leads you to higher places.