My children ought always to pray, lifting up holy hands. Don't wait until a need has you bowed down with anxiety and care, but stay in a place of and in an attitude of prayer. You miss out on much of the joy of communicating with Me when you enter your prayer closet only when you are in NEED of something. Prayer is not simply to be petitioning Me for something! No, but prayer is to be much more indeed. It is to be a mindset, an overall outlook, a way of life. It is to be the very avenue through which you receive your energy, your strength and your guidance. For in and through and by prayer, you commune with your God and Father, and I in turn communicate My will, My Words and My love to you.

Does not My word say you are to pray without ceasing? This is referring to not only a set aside time when you beseech Me for specific needs to be met, but it speaks of the attitude of your heart. Stay in an attitude of prayer, leave the lines of communication open and tuned in to Me. Be sensitive to the guidance and work of the Holy Spirit. Keep your mind on things above, not on things of the earth, allowing My thoughts and My actions to become your own. You are to remain in continual fellowship with Me-open and sensitive to My voice and with an attitude of submission and obedience.

It is to be a two way communication, where not only do you speak to Me, but where I am provided time and opportunity to speak to you also. You are missing out on an essential part of prayer if you simply make your needs known and do not allow opportunity for Me to communicate with you in return. There are things that I long to tell you, things that you need to know. Yet often times I am not allowed the same courtesy afforded you-that being a listening and attentive ear!

Yes, it is true that I speak to you My people, through My written Word, but it is also true that if allowed to, I can and will take that very Word that you have read or heard, and personalize it, explain it and quicken it to you individually. In order for this to occur, you need to be in an attitude of prayer-open to what the Spirit speaks and listening, with expectancy, for My guidance.

These words are brought to you by:
Terri Ward
watchman@ioa.com