A Woman in Travail

by Mark Waters

mongst other things, one of the themes I seem to have heard from the Lord is about intercession. Not just our typical prayer lists, but prayers that deals with the purpose of God. Sparks puts it something like this; "ministering to the life of others". By that he means that we are called into a ministry of intercession born by the Spirit that breaks satanic plots against those who are moving toward the fulfillment of God's purpose.

Esther would be an example of that. She must move into a realm of intercession on behalf of the people of God to overthrow a satanic plot seeking to rob God of ever having a people for his possession. I think this explains much of the hardships and adversities we as the people of God go through. I want to move in this kind of intercession. It is not optional. There is a real focus of the Spirit in this area! When Zion travails, she shall bring forth. The wonder in heaven revealed in Rev. 12 is a woman in a travail that leads to the birthing of a son, a manchild. This is sonship which has come to maturity.

The Lord awaits the birthing of this manchild. What brings it about is a woman in travail; a ministry of intercession that ministers to the life of others. May God move upon us in a travail which will affect those moving toward the fulfillment of God's ultimate purpose in His Son. This travail lifted a church within the church above the attacks of the dragon into the fulfillment of God's heart for companions for His Son on the throne.

Before there is a son, a manchild, there will be a woman in travail ministering for the life of others. May God move on us in such a travail these days.