FAITH CAPSULE: Pouring out the soul before God is laboring by praying. 

Luke 1:1-25

Laboring by praying before God will open any closed door that needs an opening.
Prayer is the key. 
The word of God is to be studied and engaged, not to live wasted.
Prayer is labor and not a fun fare. 
Apostle Paul, in his letter of greetings and appreciation for his beloved workers, pointed out laboring in prayer when he wrote, “Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.”(Colossians4:12) 
The Bible also testifies about the prayer session of Jesus, “He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” (Luke 22:44) 
Prayer is not a funfair. 
A closed door will answer to laborious prayer rooted in the word of God.
It is doubt that builds up for one to become afraid on the prayer altar. 
Are you one who labors in prayer but partners with being afraid?
A certain priest named Zacharias was warned not to be afraid concerning his prayer. 
The Bible records that the certain priest and his wife were righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 
They were not with children because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well-advanced in years. (Luke 1:6-7) 
The priest and his wife were experiencing a closed door as they prayed, “Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.” (Luke 1:11-13) 
Imagine a priest in prayer of expectation getting warned not to be afraid. The encounter of Zacharias with the angel of God testifies fear is a hindrance in the place of prayer. 
Prayer and being afraid do not go together. 
Prayer opens heaven to experience the move of God.
There is no door that prayer cannot open. 
Barrenness will succumb to laborious prayer rendered to God without being afraid.
To pour out your soul before God is laboring in prayer, and it will open every door that has been closed. 
Barrenness represents a closed door but will respond to prayer. 
In the life of Zacharias and Elizabeth, prayer opened the door to gaining the blessing of God. 
Are you experiencing barrenness in any area of life? 
Today, be encouraged, in your experience, to experiment with laborious prayer and see God move on your behalf. 

Prayer for today: Ask God for the grace of strength on your prayer altar.