The Spirit of Grace and the Spirit of Supplication
Zechariah 12:10 is a powerful prophecy: “I will pour out the Spirit of grace and of supplication on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem.” This promise was not only for the Jewish people but is an eternal revelation, being fulfilled in the Church today – on those who desire to live by the Spirit and for God.
- The Spirit of Grace: The Precious Presence of Jesus
In Hebrews 10:29, the author warns against disrespecting the “Spirit of grace” – a special title given to Jesus in the form of Spirit. Unfortunately, the Vietnamese translation translates it as “the Spirit of grace”, causing many to miss a precious vision: the Spirit of grace is the Spiritized Lord Jesus Christ – who lives in us.
When we receive Him, we receive:
Grace is with our spirit (Galatians 6:18; Philippians 4:22)
Grace is established in our hearts (Hebrews 13:9)
Grace flows through our mouths and lives (Ephesians 4:29)
Like Stephen, a man filled with the Spirit of grace, those who live in that Spirit will speak words of edification, grace, and act with power from heaven.
- The Spirit of Supplication: Intercession from the depths of the human heart
The spirit of supplication is the inward work of the Spirit of God’s Son in the heart of the believer. Romans 8:15-16 and Galatians 4:6 say, “We have received the Spirit, crying, ‘Abba, Father!’” – it is the call of our spirit and the Spirit of His Son united to the Father.
The Spirit of supplication not only helps us pray, but also groan, intercede according to the will of God. It helps us:
Pray in our weakness (Romans 8:26-27)
Intercede within us while Jesus intercedes at the right hand of God (Romans 8:34)
The more a person is ruled by the Spirit of grace, the more powerfully the Spirit of supplication operates in spiritual intercession, warfare, and groaning.
- Causes of Prayer Dryness
Many Christians do not pray, or pray superficially, because:
They do not have the Spirit of supplication operating within them.
Lack of the living word of God operating within, leading to a lack of “life sap” between the Vine and the branches.
Distant from God and lacking inner union, prayer becomes intellectual or formal.
Jesus himself rebuked: “Until now, you have not asked for anything in my name…” (John 16:24). When the living word of God operates within us, prayer is a natural response of life, not a religious burden.
- The State of the Spirit of False Pleading: Praying for Lust
James 4:3 speaks of “wrongful praying.” Not all prayers come from the Spirit of pleading. Many people pray from negative sources:
The spirit of lust – like the Israelites asking for meat in the wilderness.
The spirit of selfishness – like Jacob bargaining with God.
The spirit of bitterness or anger – like Elijah asking for death.
The Spirit of Fame or the Flesh – asking for prominence, success, etc.
Such requests do not come from the life of the Spirit, and are often not answered by God, or are allowed to happen as a painful discipline.
- Recovering the Spirit of True Intercession
Isaiah 59:16 says, “He saw that there was no one… and he was amazed that there was no one to intercede.” The spirit of supplication not only helps us to intercede for ourselves, but also to carry God’s burden to intercede for others.
We need to:
Struggling in intercession like Epaphras (Colossians 4:12)
Present strong arguments before God (Isaiah 43:26)
Trample Satan and obstacles in the spirit realm (Romans 16:20)
Identification with God’s will, not personal feelings
Intercession is not a feeling and then praying. It is a union of our spirit with the Spirit of God, a response of grace as He imparts a burden to our hearts.
Conclusion: Let the Spirit of Grace Rule Your Heart
You cannot have a powerful prayer life unless the Spirit of grace rules in your heart. When God’s grace abounds in your spirit and heart, the Spirit of supplication will operate deeply and persistently. That is when you intercede not out of duty, but out of love – not out of emotion, but because His life compels you.
Father, give us the Spirit of grace and supplication. Amen.