Travailing Prayer

“In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. . .Therefore, I was left alone and saw this great vision and there remained no strength in me—for my comeliness was turned into corruption and I retained no strength. . .Then there came again and touched me the appearance of a man and he strengthened me and said, ‘O man, greatly beloved, fear not; peace be unto you.  Be strong; yea, be strong.’  And, when he had spoken unto me I was strengthened and said, ‘Let my Lord speak—for you have strengthened me’.”                                                            

Daniel 10:2, 8, 18-19

     Prevailing prayer is always preceded by travailing prayer.

     In Rom. 8:26 we read how the Holy Spirit “helps our infirmities

—for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit

Himself makes intercessions for us with groaning which cannot be

uttered.”

 

     Likewise, in Heb. 5:7-8 we read how Jesus “in the days of His

flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications with strong

crying and tears unto Him that was able to save Him from death and

was heard in that He feared.  Though He were a Son, yet learned He

obedience by the things which He suffered.”

 

     Thus, we should not be surprised at Daniel’s condition in

today’s Manna as the Lord showed him his nation’s sinfulness, why

they were suffering, what had happened to their beloved Jerusalem and

Temple, etc.  Such things always zap us of our strength (mentally,

emotionally, physically and spiritually); yet, they also accentuate

our felt need of the Lord God.

 

     No one needs to tell us how bad things are in the world today. 

Just read the headlines or listen to the evening news or eavesdrop on

casual conversation at the local coffee shop.

     You, like Daniel, will also be mourning. . .not feel like eating

or sprucing yourself up (v.3). . . so great is your agony of soul. 

But, do not fear, weary Pilgrim—for the same Holy Spirit, Who even

now is interceding for us with “groaning like a woman in childbirth

pain” or “baffled sighs of exasperation,” has been sent to strengthen

you in your travailing prayer.

 

     Likewise, the Lord Jesus Himself, Who right at this moment “is

praying for us” (Heb. 7:24-25), knows full well what you’re going

through.  That night in the Garden of Gethsemane He sweated “great

drops of blood” as He agonized in prayer (Lk. 22:44).  And, His

disciples would have heard His “strong crying” as He knelt in prayer

if they’d not been asleep.

 

     But, soon an angel came to strengthen Him as He prayed (Lk.

22:43) even as Gabriel did when Daniel prayed (9:21; 10:10, 18). 

And, dear Pilgrim, during our labored praying the Holy Spirit will

also come to us to both comfort and assist us as we pray (Jn. 14:16,

18, 26)—reminding us the Heavenly Father heard us praying from the

moment we opened our mouth and how we are greatly loved by Him (9:23;

10:11-12, 19).

 

     So, do not fear, travailing Prayer Warrior, when others do not

hear God’s Voice or see what’s going on as you do (10:7, 12, 19) or

when your prayers seem unheard or unanswered.  Instead, keep

praying/pleading with the God of Heaven, trusting in Him and Him

alone. In “due season you’ll reap” (Gal. 6:9) as His Presence cheers

you and His Promises assure you.

By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated February 20, 2010