“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words” ‭‭(Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭26‬).

To travail in prayer means to offer intense, burdensome and sometimes painful intercession, that sometimes includes deep groaning which can be compared to the agony of childbirth. It is labour associated with spiritual birthing as someone is burdened by a situation or for a person. This type of prayer comes from intercession which understands the heart and mind of God. Prayers are offered up by yielding to the Holy Spirit, to bring to manifestation God’s will. In Romans 8, Paul spoke to the church about life in the spirit and the work of the Holy Spirit in us. He spoke of a future glory which will be revealed in the children of God and in the meantime the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. He spoke of creation groaning together in the pangs of childbirth as we also groan inwardly, as we wait for our bodies to be redeemed and transformed. Paul then spoke about the work of the Holy Spirit in us as he helps us to pray. 

Without the help of the Holy Spirit, we cannot know or truly understand the mind of God. As the Holy Spirit knows the mind of God and his will, he prays for us and through us with groanings that we do not understand. “And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God” ‭‭(Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭27). When we become born again children of God, he gives us the gift of the spirit with the evidence of speaking in unknown tongues (Acts 2:4). There is speaking in tongues which, often follows an interpretation of a message which God wishes to communicate to the church. Then there is praying in tongues, which is praying in or through the Holy Spirit unto God. “For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit” (1 Corinthians‬ ‭14‬:‭2‬). Paul also said that when someone prays in tongues, he builds himself up spiritually. 

This is like sharpening an axe or charging a battery, as we are plugged into God and the Holy Spirit is working out the will of God in us, to bring the will of God to manifestation in our lives. We can see some examples of travailing in prayer in the bible, such as Hannah when she prayed for a child. “Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord” ‭‭(1 Samuel‬ ‭1‬:‭10‬). Hannah was in such a place of travail that Eli thought she was drunk, when he watched her as she prayed. She corrected Eli and explained that she was not drunk, but she was pouring out her grief and anguish to the Lord. Jesus was also grieved in his spirit as he prayed in Gethsemane. “And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground” ‭‭(Luke‬ ‭22‬:‭44‬). Angels came and strengthened Jesus as his anguish was due to his impending crucifixion. Although he wished for the crucifixion to pass over him, he still prayed in the spirit for the will of God to be done. 

Jacob also prayed all night and then wrestled with an angel and refused to let go, until he received a blessing. God told him to return to his country and he was burdened about meeting with his brother Esau. He knew that he had stolen his brother’s birthright and he was afraid that perhaps Esau may wanted to take vengeance against him. Jacob’s name was changed to Isreal because he struggled with God and prevailed (Genesis 32:28). Prayer is our method of communicating with God and he wants us to come to him with our burdens. Most believers know how to pray, but few understand the burden of travailing. It generally takes time and intensity and often comes from feeling deeply burdened about a situation. Many long standing situations only shift in the place of travail. This type of prayer is strengthened by praying in tongues, as the Holy Spirit makes intercession for us with groanings that we do not understand. 

“Be in pain, and labor to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, Like a woman in birth pangs. For now you shall go forth from the city, You shall dwell in the field, And to Babylon you shall go. There you shall be delivered; There the Lord will redeem you From the hand of your enemies” ‭‭(Micah‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬ ).

Anneta Pinto-Young (A.P.-Y.)

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Published by Anneta Pinto-Young

I am a trained Social Worker who currently provides professional leadership on a programme to support Social Work students and Newly Qualified Social Workers entering the Social Work Profession. Born and raised in Jamaica in a Christian family where my father is an ordained Pastor and Deacon who has served for over 50 years in the ministry. My father is also a trained musician and our family can be described as a musical family. I grew up in a small farming community in St. Peter’s, St. Andrew and my parents also have a small farm. I credit my gift of writing to my father who I watched and listened to over the years as he wrote sermons, poems and other recitals in his capacity in ministry. English has always been an easy subject for me and over the years I have developed an increased interest in writing. I am a Trainer, I sing and have a passion for worship, the spoken word and the free flow of the prophetic anointing. I am married to my best friend Andrew Christopher Young who is an advanced Musician and whose music you can find on YouTube and Facebook. I am a trained Coach and Mentor and I love experimenting with food so I love cooking. I enjoy trying cultural dishes from across the world and I view food as an entry into cultures and languages.

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