Spirit of Grace and Supplication.

Spirit of Grace and Supplication

A few weeks ago, I heard a still, small voice in my ear that said, “You don’t really know how to pray”. At first, I just ignored the voice. I have seen God do many astounding things in response to anointed worship and intercession.

However, this voice came back and said, “You don’t really know how to pray”. At this point, I was getting quite irritated with this persistent thought that was coming from outside my experience. I responded to this voice, “I rebuke you satan!” thinking that this would be the end of this strange irritation.

The voice continued to irritate me and I thought to myself, “Oh great, I must be dealing with a MAJOR strongman that is opposing me.” (Actually I was right on this one; at least sort of- see James 4:6). I tried every possible tactic I knew concerning spiritual warfare but this “strongman” would not budge. Perplexed, I asked God, What the H-E-double hockey sticks is going on? This last week, I feel I have gotten a small part of the answer.

A prophetic encounter

Over the last year or so, IHOP-KC has started times of “preparation for intercession” prior to corporate intercession meetings. These small group meetings serve two purposes: 1.) To prepare the people (both the participants and others) for an increased anointing in corporate intercession times. 2.) To train people in stirring up their inner man through praying in tongues (since we generally do not speak in tongues on the microphone anymore). On a recent Monday afternoon, I went to the preparation for intercession rooms.

In the midst of doing the praying in tongues thing, the Holy Spirit clearly spoke to me, “You have not yet touched the Spirit of Grace and Supplication I am willing to give this generation.”
I was then in a vision and I was watching Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane violently travailing in prayer. Jesus was praying John 17. The scene was that from Luke 22:43-44. In the midst of watching this glorious, agonizing scene; The Holy Spirit said once again, "You have not yet touched the Spirit of Grace and Supplication I am willing to give this generation."

The scene changed again, and I was in a prayer room that I didn’t recognize. The carpet was stained with blood and tears. The blood on the carpet was not because of a terrorist attack (like you may see on the news), but because God had even sent angels and empowered the people of God to pray with supernatural intensity.

It is this level of the spirit of prayer on a people that God speaks of in Zechariah 12:10-13 that creates a community where God’s Spirit can rest in glory like in Psalm 132 and Acts 2. The result is a fountain of revival and salvation for multitudes (millions and millions) described in Zechariah 13:1-2.

What does God mean by this for daily life?

Immediately after this intense encounter, the LORD also highlighted that 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 and Ezekiel 44:15-16. I felt the Holy Spirit indicate that these two verses are a key to entering into the spirit of grace and supplication that God is willing to release in this generation. In the days following, the LORD clearly let me know that the other 2 keys are overcoming the spirit of murder and the spirit of manipulation at the heart level.

Recently, Mike Bickle got a prophetic word about immorality in the Church. As the result IHOP-KC has invited Jesus to come and release an increased measure of judgment (the sword of the LORD) for those who do no repent, while an increased measure of glory for those who do.

The Spirit of prayer at this level comes from knowing Jesus in a deep and profound way. God is very zealous over the secret issue of immorality within believers because it destroys our intimacy and communion with Jesus. Paul said in Philippians 3:10-11; I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings becoming like him in his death, and so somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Nothing else (including worldwide honor, fame, and power) will satisfy our heart short of knowing Jesus.