*Hidden Groanings Precede Public Anointing*
Your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. (Matthew 6:6)
Public anointing is simply the visible reward of secret groanings. Hannah’s tears in the temple seemed unnoticed, but they birthed Samuel, a prophet whose ministry shaped Israel (1 Samuel 1:10–20). Elijah’s public call of fire on Mount Carmel was preceded by hidden groaning, his head between his knees as he travailed for rain (1 Kings 18:42–45). Even Jesus, the Son of God, entered Gethsemane in agony, praying with such intensity that His sweat became like drops of blood (Luke 22:44). Those hidden groans strengthened Him to embrace the Cross publicly.
Groaning is not weakness—it is the Spirit’s deep work within us. Paul wrote, “The Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26). These hidden groanings kill the flesh, align our will with God’s, and birth spiritual authority. The apostles, fearful after the crucifixion, travailed together in the upper room; but when Pentecost came, they emerged with boldness and fire that shook nations (Acts 2:1–4).
The truth is clear: hidden groanings precede public anointing. Without the womb of prayer, there can be no birth of ministry. What the world celebrates openly is the fruit of what was wept for in secret. If we long for God’s power, we must be willing to pay the price of hidden intercession. The oil that flows in public is always pressed in private before the Lord.
Your brother in Christ,
Apostle Ashok Martin