PRAYING SUCH AS THE WORLD HAS NEVER KNOWN!

I once heard a missionary speak of great awakenings around the world. It was clear that in every case, the “spirit of prayer” is tied to the last harvest. In Vietnam, China, Siberia, the Amazon, Africa, God’s people are praying with fire and fervency — weeping and crying out to God, seeking His face, dealing with sin and turning to righteousness.

You cannot manufacture this kind of inclination to pray; it is the result of the spirit of supplication. We called for weeks of prayer at Times Square Church and experienced a small taste of this outpouring of the Spirit. Indeed, there is a measure of fire and diligence in prayer throughout this nation but we have not yet experienced the outpouring of the spirit of supplication.

God is showing me that even the desire and inclination to pray must come from the Holy Spirit. The answer is found in Zechariah 10:1: “Ask the Lord for rain in the time of the latter rain. The Lord will make flashing clouds; He will give them showers of rain, grass in the field for everyone.”

We must ask the Lord for the spirit of supplication! He is telling us in Zechariah, “Ask and I will give you this burden from heaven. But you must seek it from Me.”

It is time we started asking the Lord, “Oh, God, pour out your Holy Spirit on me that I may learn to pray! Open up the fountain and let me be a part of Your final harvest!”

Once His spirit of supplication showers down upon you, you will find yourself praying for holiness, godliness, purity. You will intercede for your lost loved ones and weep over this dying world. But you must ask the Holy Spirit to do it in you — and then trust Him!