While I was on my way home, I had a thought that I should be on my knees and praying. Not sure whether it was mine or God asking me to do so. Anyway, on arrival, started praying. Instead I started weeping and groaning. (Except for 1 previous occasion, I don't recall making any audible loud sounds when weeping). There were audible sounds to the groaning but no words formed (the sound is not a wailing sound, nor is it a loud audible sigh). There is no physical pain.

My question is is that groaning in the spirit?
Has anyone experienced groaning in the spirit before and how is it like for you?
Thanks.


Have read some articles and few really describe how to tell whether its groaning in the spirit. Some say that there should be physical pain while some say its not necessary. Some say its an inner groaning (giving me the impression that no sounds are heard). Some says its like a sigh or groan. But I have yet to see an article mentioning the word 'AUDIBLE' groan.

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geraldine

Thanks but its not what I'm looking for as the reasons for groaning I'm aware of.

Most articles are saying that its inaudible (ie one cannot hear it) based on those that had it or through explanation based on the bible or they are silent as to whether its audible or not. I have yet to come across an article (except 1 short article which may not necessarily be trustworthy which I just read) that says it may be audible.

That's why my questions are as repeated below.

My question is that groaning in the spirit (please see my first post where I mentioned the groaning was audible)?
Has anyone experienced groaning in the spirit before and how is it like for you?


Basically my groans were audible--so is that really groaning as classified in the bible?
Thanks.

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geraldine

Thanks. Will see the sermon.

But is yours audible ie others can hear it? Mine is audible

Mine does not seem to originate from inside like what most describe and there is no pain except for sadness (which most weeping there will be sadness). Its more like when I'm weeping, I'm also producing the sounds which comes from my mouth. The sounds are identical and basically only 1 or 2 varieties and I can produce this sound now if I want to (of course its just the sound that I can produce). I guess it sounds like somewhere in between deep audible sighs and childbearing groans????

Sorry for being such a pain in the neck. But I do want to be as sure as possible. I know that I usually do not make sounds when I weep, so this is really a new experience for me. I can understand why I would groan as the reasons fit but I really want to make sure that its groaning and not something else. Thanks once again.

I cannot get over the fact that basically pretty much all except 1 article/studies/experiences say the sounds are not audible (ie you can't hear it) or they are silent as to whether its audible or not. Mine is certainly audible and if so would go contrary to what the articles say about 'groaning in the spirit'. Also, mine is not one that originates from the stomach as some have said.

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geraldine

"Likewise the Spirit helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us WITH GROANINGS which cannot be uttered". (Romans 8:26).

Many intercessors have had this experience of groaning in the Spirit which is known as travail. I remember reading "Azusa Street" by Frank Bartleman, who was a intercessor. He had such a burden for revival that many times all he could do was to groan in the Spirit. This is something that cannot be copied or imitated, but is a type of intercession by the Spirit.

The following is an excerpt from Charles Finney on his experience with travail.

Charles Finney's experience...

"A woman with whom he (Charles Finney) had boarded became very sick. She wasn't a Christian, although her husband was a professor of religion. He had come to Finney and told him that he thought his wife was dying. Finney tells how this news affected him:

This seemed to plant an arrow, as it were, in my heart. It came upon me in the sense of a burden that crushed me, the nature of which I could not at all understand; but with it came an intense desire to pray for that woman. The burden was so great that I left the office almost immediately, and went up to the meeting house, to pray for her. There I struggled, but could not say much. I could only groan with groanings loud and deep.

Finney goes on to say that he stayed in the church for some time, but didn't get any relief. He went back and forth from the office to the church several times.

For a long time I (Charles Finney) tried to get my prayer before the Lord; but somehow words could not express it. I could only groan and weep, without being able to express what I wanted in words. I returned to the office again, and still found I was unable to rest; and I returned a third time to the meeting house. At this time the Lord gave me power to prevail. I was enabled to roll the burden upon him; and I obtained the assurance in my own mind that the woman would not die, and indeed that she would never die in her sins.

The following morning the woman's husband came into Finney's office and reported that his wife was much better. Finney assured him that she would not die with this sickness, neither would se die unconverted. She did recover from this illness, and soon after received Christ. This was a new experience for Finney, but one he would experience time and time again.

At first I (Charles Finney) did not understand what this exercise of mind that I had passed through, was. But shortly after in relating it to a Christian brother he said to me, "Why, that was the travail of your soul." A few minutes' conversation, and pointing me to certain scriptures, gave me to understand what it was."

"This was to be the pattern for Finney's ministry: praying by the unction of the Holy Spirit, and not quiting until the assurance came into his heart that the prayer was answered."

It's Time For Revival by Angelo and Christy Mitropoulos

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Mike

Thanks.

But the thing is can the groaning be heard?
And also, if it can be heard, can the groaning come from one's mouth?

The scripture says it cannot be uttered. Thus, it could mean, no words are formed but there may be sounds that can be heard? Or could it be no sounds at all?

Most articles are either silent or say that no audible sounds are formed based on certain bible verses (for example creation groaning does not produce sounds). David Wilkerson said that he groaned before but it was inaudible and an inner groaning.
Charles Finney did not explicitly say that it was audible. The closest to audible is the sentence "There I struggled, but could not say much. I could only groan with groanings loud and deep."--which I will not take for granted that its audible.


If so, then mine is certainly not groaning. I'm not willing to assume something which is not but would like to know what it is. Thanks

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geraldine

But the thing is can the groaning be heard?
And also, if it can be heard, can the groaning come from one's mouth?


Brother, I have prayed with intercessors before where the groaning was definetly audible. When a woman is having birth pains, you will know it.

Mike

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Mike

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geraldine

Awesome, can you please give me some reason to why we do this?