Text: Isaiah 66:7-9
Memory verse:
“My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,” Galatians 4:19 NKJV
In trying to make people appreciate his responsibility as a husband, one man claimed that he also experienced childbirth pain like his wife. He said that while his wife had physical pain, he had psychological pain! In contrast, another man, having been at the maternity ward and had witnessed how his wife laboured during childbirth, vowed never to have a second child. And since he couldn’t forget that experience, the baby truly became their first and last child!
“… for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.”
(Isa 66:8 KJV). The CEV says,
“Jerusalem is like a mother who gave birth to her children as soon as she was in labor.”
The word ‘travail’ is a description of the painful labour pangs or exertion of childbirth. Genesis 35:16 (KJV) says “.. and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour.” And Jeremiah 22:23 (KJV) says “…when pangs come upon thee, the pain as of a woman in travail!” The purpose of the labour is to create an opening for the baby to come out.
The word, ‘travail’ is also used for hard work, especially work that causes pain or requires an extra amount of exertion. Paul worked with labour and travail (2 Thes 3:8).
Travailing prayer is therefore, a deep, intense, earnest and heart-moving prayer or intercession accompanied by strong crying, pain, or agony, as a result of being gripped by something that grips the heart of God or heaven. It is labouring in the Spirit through prayer to create an opening for the birth of a new life, a new vision, or a new desire.
Although labour is experienced in every natural delivery, yet the duration of labour varies from one person to the other. In some cases, some first-time pregnant women have been sent back home because they came to the maternity too soon. Travailing prayer is a birthing prayer. Just as a mother knows her son, Paul boldly reminded the Corinthians that, although they may have many instructors in Christ but he gave birth to them, they are his children and he remained their father (1 Cor 4:15). You must travail in prayer to be fruitful in Christ, to win a soul, and to nurture them to maturity (Gal 4:19). You travail to birth a vision and to open the window of heaven, for revival.
Friends, are you tired of being barren spiritually? Do you desire an opening for the delivery of your promised blessings? Travailing prayer is the answer. It is a prevailing prayer.
Prayer points
1. Father, let my heart be gripped by what grips You and energize me to push until Your purpose is delivered and established, in Jesus’ name.
2. Father, teach me to travail in prayer to create an opening and to bring forth in Jesus’ name.
Today’s declarations
1. When I travail in prayer, I create an opening for the coming of a new life and vision.
2. I travail in prayer to give birth and to nurture the baby.
Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng