To Labour

 To Labour

We just got through Labor Day here in the United States which celebrates the workforce. A federal holiday so, it's a day off from work, yay! Who doesn't like having a day off from work? We sure appreciate that. However, my concern is about laboring in prayer. What does it mean to "labor in prayer?" Or, to labor in anything for that matter? There are several different words in the Scriptures which tell us about what it is to labor: from bearing children, bringing forth, bearing, birthing, being born, to toiling at work, producing, acquiring property (through work), even in respect to riches and wealth. Yet, to labor also is related to grief, or being grieved. To labor or faint, to grow weary, to be exhausted, to tire, to have pain, to suffer. Another word used is "travail." That gives another perspective on it, doesn't it? Sounds like a harder, deeper thing, to travail over something. 

The Apostle Paul said this to the Church at Galatia: Gal 4:19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you...

He travailed, he labored, he toiled in prayer for the "little children" the ones who he was believing God for that they should come to knowledge of Christ Jesus and salvation found in Him. Paul longed to see that come to pass, to see it manifest in their lives in the natural. He longed to see it come to pass in the lives of his Jewish brethren along with all others. Did he see it happen in each and every one of their lives? Maybe not. He also said, Gal 4:27 For it is written, Rejoice, [thou] barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband. That's a great cry out and encouragement, on different levels, not just for Israel but for anyone, really, who may be feeling that their prayers are not being answered. Who may be feeling barren, empty after praying and praying for maybe years and years and are feeling that nothing is breaking forth, nothing is coming to bear, nothing is being "birthed." Yet here the apostle is saying "Rejoice!" Rejoice and have hope, 'cause it will bear fruit, it will come to pass. The LORD is not slack concerning His promises! And that, you have to take By Faith! 

Father God, let us come before You with thanksgiving and praise, and with the active energy and movement in the Spirit that is by Faith. Faith in You. Hope and Trust and Reliance in You. For You are not a man that You should lie, and You have declared the most awesome of truths and promises through the life of Your Dear Son, Jesus. Let us come before You with that hope that is the anchor of our souls, believing You and not becoming weary in our prayers and in our hopes. Let us not become tired and exhausted from coming to Your throne of Grace and petitioning You and supplicating to You for all the many issues and things of life that we are confronted with on a daily basis. The things concerning our minds, our bodies, the pains and sufferings we go through. The things concerning our loved ones, our families and even the grievous things that happen in this world to families. Let us not get tired and forlorn about praying to You for our nation and all the things that are occurring across this land. Let us not become frustrated or doubting about praying to You for America, for Israel, for all the other nations out there that are suffering so much where it comes to poverty, sickness and disease, corruption of government, oppression in all of its forms. Let us not become tired of praying for the children all across this Earth, O LORD, that need You... all the children out there who are desperately in need of Your intervention and intercession. Father GOD, forgive us when we have become wearied in our well doing, for we know that it is a good thing to pray to You in a time when You can still be found! Forgive us, when we have wearied You because we have doubted and demonstrated unbelief instead of believing You for what You have spoken! Forgive us when we have instead chosen to hear the first lie in our minds which is "Hath God said?" Let us be filled this day and hour, O LORD, with the Faith of the Dear Son who even when He was in agony, He prayed more earnestly! Even when He was suffering unbearable pain, He prayed even more and He stood in our place before You asking forgiveness on our behalf. He bore the pain in His body and He bore it in His heart, praying for us. And isn't that the most astounding thing, O LORD, that He even is beside You this day, in this hour and moment in timeless eternity, still praying for us, still interceding our behalf, and He will continue until that moment comes when You tell Him, Now is the time, Return. We lift the Church, the Body of Christ to You right now O LORD Jesus, that You would touch the hearts of all believers across the Earth to repent, to turn back to You, and to begin to earnestly pray. That the Bride of Christ would ready Herself and Her garments through the labor of prayer. That the Bride's garments even right now in this hour would be woven with the golden threads of prayers unto You for the souls You long to save. Hmmm... those golden threads of prayers making up a Bridal Garment like none ever seen before. Wow, LORD. We thank You for the laboring of prayer. That which would bring forth the sons of Glory, the Kingdom of redeemed souls who bear Your image and likeness... who have looked into the mirror of Your Word and see the image of Christ reflected back at them. Hallelujah! Thank You Father God that You are the GOD Who hears our prayers this day! In the Precious Name of our Intercessor Jesus. Amen and Amen.