When a woman carrying a baby, is it a burden?  Is it life?  Does it grow?  Will you always have it with you in that way?  Then how is the burden released to be independent of you? Often the process involves pain, often called travail.  Sometimes the process is accompanied by verbal releases in sounds and even shouts.  There is sometimes strain.  But always energy is required, and determination, focus and concentration. There is a great parallel in this process of the birthing of new life, that of the carrying, bearing, and birthing the burdens of the Lord– those things which are on His heart.  The burdens of the Lord are always connected with His purposes and they release, always, empowering Life. Prayer is partnering with God. What is on His heart and how do we partner with Him?