This is the day that the Lord has created and we are about to welcome travailing prayers on this day of Pentecost.

The Spirit of Travail is given for the purpose of toiling and hard labor.

The word travail comes from quite a sinister Latin word called “trepalium” which means an “instrument of torture.” It means you’re not just exerting monumental effort but you’re suffering in the process as well.

Jesus travailed.

He travailed regularly for the souls of those that were to be set free from sickness, disease and demonic oppression, and for those He was to raise from the dead.

He travailed in the Garden of Gethsemane the night before His arrest leading to His death on the cross, so much so that Apostle Luke, a medical physician, recounted in

Luke 22:44 “And being in agony He prayed more earnestly: and His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” Doctor Luke was describing a rare medical condition called “Hematidrosis” or “hematohidrosis” caused by extreme stress which results in a person oozing or sweating blood from their skin when they are not cut or injured. Under tremendous duress that night, Jesus cried out “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet not My will but Yours be done!” (Luke 22:42).

On the cross He continued travailing until once again He cried out “It is finished!” Only then did He close His eyes and rested in sleep, having accomplished what He came to do. Travail was the hard and tortuous labouring that our Saviour had to endure in order to accomplish His mission on earth.

Matthew 9:37-38

“Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray you therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth laborers into His harvest”

As I was meditating on this verse yesterday, I felt the Lord say that it wasn’t just anyone that would be chosen to attend to the Harvest of the Lord. His eyes are ALWAYS looking to see who has gone through the PREPARATION and is READY to be released in the field. For this reason we are to ASK Him WHO He will send.

In the book of Acts, after the people complained that the widows were not been taken care of, the Apostles decided to appoint some men for that specific task. Seven men (deacons) were appointed and anointed; they were chosen because of their good reputation, and because they were full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom.

“Seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:3-4). Verse 4 is of particular importance “but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

These 2 things cannot be compromised or ignored:
1. Continuous prayer
2. Ministry of the word

Without the Spirit of Travail, the work of the kingdom cannot be accomplished. Through Him mountains are moved, atmospheres are shifted, battles are won, hard grounds are ploughed, seeds are planted and watered to produce the Harvest.

WHATEVER the Master has called you to do will require MUCH toiling and hard labouring by the Spirit of Travail.

Romans 8:26 “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us”

This is the day that the Lord has created. Get ready for travailing prayers birthing on this Pentecost.

Anne Janssens
31 May 2020