Am I Travailing? I Weep When I Pray!

Travailing Prayer: When the Spirit Intercedes

Intercession and Travailing Prayer

Have you ever found yourself weeping during prayer and not knowing why?
Maybe you’ve ended up curled into a ball, groaning. Or perhaps you’ve been in a church service and suddenly felt the urge to cry out, “Have mercy, Lord!” Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night with a vivid image of someone on your mind, causing you to travail in prayer?

If you’ve experienced any of these things, you may have also found yourself in a group setting surrounded by people who thought you needed a demon cast out—or who began praying prayers of comfort and healing over you, assuming you were depressed. That can leave you wondering, “God, what is going on? Is something wrong with me?”

Well, I can tell you this: there is nothing wrong with you. What is happening is actually a very good thing. It’s called intercession.

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 with groanings which cannot be uttered.”

Wow—the Holy Spirit Himself connecting with our emotions, helping us pray prayers that are effective. That’s amazing! The Holy Spirit is a person, and He feels just as you and I do. If you have confessed the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, I have great news for you: Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to abide in you.

He is the Helper the Bible speaks about. He is the same Spirit who dwelled in Jesus and raised Him from the dead. What power—and that power lives in us! Just thinking about it gives me chills.

The Spirit helps us in our weaknesses—and that doesn’t apply only to prayer—but since we’re focusing on travailing prayer, let’s continue.

Romans 8:27
“Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”

The Holy Spirit knows the will of God for us.
Let’s go to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus cried out, “Nevertheless, not My will, but Your will be done.”

As we read Matthew 26, we see that Jesus was interceding. He carried a burden so heavy that it caused Him to be exceedingly sorrowful and deeply distressed—even to the point of death. Luke 22:43–44 tells us He was in such agony, praying earnestly, that His sweat became like great drops of blood falling to the ground. The intercession was so overwhelming to His flesh that an angel had to come and strengthen Him.

Isaiah 53:4 tells us that He bore our griefs and carried our sorrows. Isaiah 53:11 says He would see the travail of His soul and be satisfied. His soul travailed for us. He was carrying the sins of the world while the enemy was being unleashed (see Psalm 22). Jesus lived a purpose-driven life, and His goal was to bring us salvation.
Jesus’ life was an act of intercession.

His mission was to restore us to the Father. It wasn’t fear that overwhelmed Him in the Garden—it was travail like none other. Because He walked among us in the flesh, it affected Him physically. Those who have travailed can understand this.
I’ve noticed that travail often comes to those who passionately cry out to know the heart of God. So if you’ve been asking the Lord to reveal His heart to you, you may very well be experiencing intercession.

What Is Intercession?
Intercession is praying on behalf of another—entreating in favor of someone else. It is inspired and directed by the Holy Spirit, who manifests Himself through our emotions.

Intercession has often been misunderstood. Many churches are uncomfortable with emotion in prayer and struggle with travail and supplication. I remember being at a prayer meeting where I prayed for a woman. I felt the Lord’s heart for her and His desire to bring her victory. There was some emotion in my prayer, though not excessive. At the next meeting, only the leaders were allowed to pray.

Intercession Includes:

Travailing – To bear, be born, bring forth, or be delivered.

Galatians 4:19 shows that travail is given by God; it cannot be manufactured. It often involves deep groaning—sometimes audible, sometimes unutterable (Romans 8:26). Travail is the grief of God’s heart. It is vital to discern whether it is truly from God and not a counterfeit. Scripture tells us to test the spirits. Never force these manifestations; they occur as the Holy Spirit wills. Travail may be brief or prolonged and can involve birthing or spiritual warfare.

Weeping – This is fairly self-explanatory.

Laughing – Laughter in prayer can signify that God’s will has been accomplished, the answer is on the way, or the enemy’s plan has been thwarted (Psalm 2:4; Psalm 37:12–13). Can you say victory? I love this part!

Supplication – A humble, earnest prayer or entreaty.

Things to Learn:

1. When intercession comes, stay in communion with the Holy Spirit. You will know when He shifts gears. Ask Him what the burden is for—you’ll be able to hear Him clearly.

1. Guard against the enemy entering in during travail. When we engage the spiritual realm, we can be vulnerable to attack.

1. Do not let emotions run wild. Walk in the fruit of self-control. Never become so emotional that you cannot hear the leading of the Holy Spirit.

1. With this type of intercession, pray until the burden lifts. Do not abort what is on the heart of God.

1. It is possible for the same burden to return later. A lifted burden does not always mean it has been fully prayed through.

1. If you are warring in intercession, it may help to have someone praying with you—taking authority using the Word of God (Luke 10:19). This can help bring closure more quickly.

1. Remember that laughter during prayer signifies victory. Be sure to thank Him.

1. Travail takes place in the spiritual realm, not the physical. Do not assume natural birthing positions, and do not allow feelings of physical intimacy with Jesus. Doing so opens the door to deception. This is sometimes referred to as “flaky intercession.”

Have a Clean Heart
The purer our hearts, the more welcome the Holy Spirit feels—and the more He will share with us. A clean heart leads to more effective prayer.

Closing Thoughts

Isaiah 59:16
“He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor; therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him.”

It is an honor to partner with the Holy Spirit in prayer. This kind of prayer ushers in revival—first in our hearts, then in our nation. More believers will experience travail. The Lord has a Bride preparing herself and souls that need to know Jesus. He is looking for vessels willing to pray His will.

Rest assured, the enemy has faithful worshipers praying his will as well. We need more intercession led by the Holy Spirit.