Showers of the Holy Spirit

We often hear missionaries speak of great awakenings around the world. In every case, the "spirit of prayer" is tied to the harvest. In Vietnam, China, Siberia, the Amazon, Africa and numerous other places, 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 as God promised in Zechariah 12:10. These believers around the world are already experiencing it!

We have often called for weeks of prayer at Times Square Church, and we have 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 has shown me that even the desire and inclination to pray must come from the Holy Spirit. Now my dilemma is that God has promised to pour out a spirit of supplication on his church, and I want to be a part of the genuine move of God. So how can I make sure I receive this outpouring?

The answer is in Zechariah: “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” (Zechariah 10:1, NKJV).

We must ask the Lord for this spirit of supplication. The flashing clouds in this verse speak of “lightning, thunderstorms” because God has promised to bring us showers. 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, “O God, pour your Holy Spirit on me that I may learn to pray! Open up the fountain. Let me be a part of your final harvest.” Once this spirit of supplication showers down upon you, you will find yourself praying for holiness, godliness and purity. You will intercede for your lost loved ones and weep over this dying world. You have to ask the Holy Spirit to do it in you and then trust him!