When We "Cry" to God...

"When we pray for the Spirit's help ... we will simply fall down at the Lord's feet in our weakness. There we will find the victory and power that comes from His love."  - Andrew Murray

When you hear the word "cry" what comes to mind: misery?..hopelessness?..helplessness?.. anguish?.. heartache?.. weakness?.. exhaustion?.. affliction?.. adversity?.. Here, its implications are not so good.

Okay, now let's look at other side of this. The word "cry" doesn't always have be perceived negatively. It can also used to signify a joyful, jubilant, festive, cheerful, delighted, and elated emotional experience.

As you have just seen, "cry" is a very flexible word, capable of being used, both, in a positive and negative manner. In fact, Scripture uses it on numerous occasions, making full use of its versatility.

I'd like to concentrate our focus today on just one single application of the word; that is, how "cry" is used in reference to prayer. For example, when one cries out to God, it can be either good or bad.

Naturally, we should always be humble, earnest, diligent, sincere, and expectant as we submit our supplications to Him. But life's situations are in constant fluctuation, and our prayers must adapt accordingly (Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17).

During times of tragedy and/or suffering, for instance, we raise the level of our prayers to "urgent" and "needing immediate attention." Here, the seriousness of our petitions are clearly evident; we literally "shout out" to God (Luke 18:1; Romans 8:26).

During happy, delighted times the nature of our "cry" to God takes on a different tone or nature. Our cry, or cry out to God is jubilant, contented, and thankful. Our cry or shout out to God reflects an indebted and satisfied heart (Colossians 4:2).

How wonderful that one little word can mean mean so many different things when placed at the foot of God's throne. Even more, He hears our cries no matter how they are sent. We can rest assured that our cries to God are never in vain! (Mark 11:24; 1 John 3:22)

Scripture: Psalm 5:1; Psalm 17:1; 1 Kings 8:28; Psalm 5:2; 2 Samuel 22:50

Prayer: Let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name, amen.  - Hebrews 13:15

Blessings always,

Cyndy