Burden in our context is a Spirit-originating impression of heaviness placed on the heart to secure get or sustain the attention of a person (cons. Gen.41:8, Est.6:1, Dan.2:1, 4:4,5, Matt.26:38, Jn.11:32-33, 12:27-28, Rom.8:26). It is one of the modes of divine communication to stir the recipient into action – of consecration: for the reception of information/revelation, personal spiritual exercise or intercession for others.
It is a pre-requisite for effective supplication (making earnest request on personal needs in the spirit of humility) or intercession (seeking God=s presence on behalf of others). Infact, an intercessor that prays without burden is like the farmer that goes to work without purpose and implements.
Burden is different from >sorrow of the heart= which is sometimes called sorrow of the world (2Cor.7:10), where in the victim lives in anxiety, worry, fear etc. or is mourning as a result of some misfortune; in which case the challenge is being magnified at the back drop of lack of faith (cons. Matt.6:24-34, Rom.8:15, 2Cor.7:10b, Phil.4:6-8, 2Tim.1:7). This (sorrow of heart) can be deadly and destructive, leading to despair, depression, diseases and even death. Though burdens are often autonomously given by the Holy Spirit, they can also be generated by deep scriptural consideration, whereby the believer considers the challenges at the back drop of faith in God (cons. Ps.2:1-6, 39:2-3).
The Required Response to Burdens is Prayers – seeking God’s face for instruction or and direction (cons. Ps.126:4-6, Prov. 3:6). Praying in the spirit gives advantage in the management of burden when the purpose of the burden is met or no longer existing, the burden is lifted off. In other words, persistence of a burden is an indication of the persistence of its cause.
However, there are Burden-destroyers which cause the miscarriage of the divine impression.
These include Fleshly activities like entertainment, indulgence in pleasure, chattering etc (cons. Gal.5:17), conscious resistance to the impression (cp. Gal.2:21, implied 1Thess.5:19), exhibition of carelessness towards the burden (cons. Gal.4:5-8, S of S 2:15).
It should be strongly noted that persistence in the attitude of aborting burdens, blocks this channel of divine communication (cons. Jer.7:13-14, Matt.7:6, Acts 10:34); and improper management of a burden can lead to toxic attitudes, aggressive tendencies etc which tarnish the image of the saint (cons. Matt.5:13,14,16, Phil.2:14-15).
The more spirit sensitive a saint is, the easier to detect burdens and respond in prayer; and by extension improve in quality of life which metamorphosis effects.
Burden is the turbine of prayer.