Devotional Day 39 for Thursday 4/8

New Testament Reading: Acts 8

Old Testament Reading: Zechariah 8:18-19

Day 39.  Less than 48 hours left in this fast.  Woke up this morning tired.  Walking out of my building, I felt a sense of hunger for God to move.  During my times with the IHOP team ( www.jhopboston.org ), I have tasted of the goodness, joy, love, and power of the Holy Spirit.  During prayer gatherings, I've felt both the joy of the overflow of God's Spirit upon me and the breaking of my heart for the last and the nations.  As I walked to pray, through the early morning light, I found myself praying - oh Lord send revival!

This is more than a 40 day event.  This is about God creating a lifestyle of prayer, fasting, and going in us.  This is about God molding the desires of our hearts to his.  This is about the church being the dwelling place of God's presence and glory.  This is about the nations of the world that have yet to hear of Jesus.  This is about a great awakening unto a great commissioning.  This is about losing our lives so that we find them.  This is about giving all of who we are to what God is doing in this hour and this generation.  This is about knowing our reward is on the other side of eternity not this side.  This is all about Jesus and his great love for us and those who have not yet seen.

Tomorrow, thousands will gather to pray across New England; many of them at Tremont Temple in Boston (click image above).  I believe that in the midst of fasting God has been releasing joy and gladness in the midst of the church of New England per Zechariah 8:19.  Zechariah prophesied that in the midst of fasting there would be seasons of joy, gladness, and cheerful feasts for God's people.  I truly believe tomorrow night the church in New England is about to walk into a new season, a season marked by joy and gladness.  The day of deliverance is at hand, the awakening has begun.  God is on the move.  The Lion of Judah is breathing life into his bride again!

This fast was unto a great awakening.  I believe a time of deliverance is on the verge of breaking out for Boston.  As in Acts 8, there will be joy in the city that has never before been known.

Father, for the sake of your Son Jesus and the ones he died for, stretch out your hand that signs and wonders may be done at the name of your servant Jesus.  Holy Spirit, pour out the oil of you joy in our midst.  Bring deliverance and salvation to our city.  Let the kingdom come!  Let joy and gladness fill the streets as the lost come home!

"For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city." 
(Acts 8:7-8)