"But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts." (I Thessalonians 2:4)

St. Paul highly valued his appointment to preach the Gospel. A man who preaches the Gospel must be qualified before God as one who is examined and declared fit by the Holy Spirit. St. Paul had well prepared himself. He spent three years alone with God. He needed a certain amount of mental discipline and also spiritual discipline and physical discipline. A Christian comes under the influence of the Holy Spirit the moment he is converted. The Holy Spirit strives with him to bring him to conform to the plan of God. The Holy Spirit prays through you and tries to take control of every aspect of your life so that you may be fit to carry the gospel of Jesus Christ to others. St. Paul labored and travailed night and day. 'Labor' we understand, but why travail? It is a wrestling with the powers of darkness. A travail in prayer is needed. Parents who know the Lord wrestle in prayer to bind all the powers of darkness that enter the home through the children, unconverted relatives, or any other evil input.