Bible reading: Isaiah 7-9, Galatians 4
Memory verse: “Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.” Isaiah 66:8 (KJV)
Travailing in prayers is one of the keys that births and establishes souls in the kingdom. It is not enough to preach the gospel and refer the new converts or invitees to any bible believing church, rather we are to stand in the gap for them in prayers again and again to be established in the kingdom.
Paul is known to have birthed many churches and many converts. He did this by not only returning to check their spiritual growth but by travailing in prayers for them wherever he was. Remember, it is God’s will for all men to be saved and established. So any prayer directed towards establishment of souls in the kingdom is God’s will. And when we pray according to His will, He hears us (1 John 5:14-15). Travailing prayers is God’s will for man the same way a woman travails before giving birth to a child.
Paul travailed mainly for a reason. Galatians 4:19 ((KJV), “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you.” Travailing is done again and again until Christ be formed in the convert. No wonder Paul was so effective in spreading the gospel of Christ. Epaphras too did same. Paul tells us in Colossians 4.12 (NKJV), “Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.” It is only when Christ is formed in them and they in Christ can the souls be truly saved.
Soul winning and outreaches are wonderful, but travailing for souls helps us seal these souls in the kingdom. No matter where the souls may move to as long as you travail for them, the consciousness of Christ will be planted in their minds and heart as the Holy Spirit takes over and follows up with them till they become full of Christ.
Travailing prayers, a fervent and continuous prayer to see souls established in Christ, is a great labour in the kingdom. It comes with sorrow, anxiety and passion. But no amount of pain or labour can be compared to the joy that comes when you see a soul travailed for established and Christ fully formed in them. Make travailing prayers your lifestyle and soul winning and outreaches will yield more fruit in your life.
Prayer: Father in the name of Jesus, I receive strength from You to travail in prayer for souls like never before.
Bro. Worthmore Aghanenu