There are times when you have reached the end of your rope. Or maybe you are passing through a desert. Or you might find yourself in a den of ravenous wolves. In these types of circumstances, you can rely on one of the most important forms of prayer of all : The Cry.

Our Examples

There are many episodes in the Bible where a person or a group cried out to God for deliverance. While living in bondage in Egypt, the Hebrew slaves cried out to the Lord, and he heard their cry (Exodus, chapters 2 and 3). This crying out moved God and led to one of the most important liberations in history. The nation of Israel was delivered. Passover, the prequel to Easter, was established and the Law was given. It all started with crying out to God.

When facing a large invading army, Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, remembered the Lord’s faithfulness. He reminded his people: “If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence… and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.” (2 Chronicles 20:9)

In Gethsemane, when facing his crucifixion, Jesus cried out to his heavenly Father.

In our lives we all will face some kind of oppression or threat eventually. It can take many different forms, some even life threatening. It might be economic hardship, illness or a great personal struggle.

In these extreme cases you have a most powerful resource: your cry out to God.

Why Is It Necessary?

Why does God wait for your cry? If he is merciful and kind, why does he wait? Again, we can go back to the example of the Hebrew slaves in Egypt. Their deliverance was of monumental importance in the history of salvation through Jesus Christ. The situations in our individual lives are no different. Our greatest crises are of monumental importance to our personal history of salvation. God always has a bigger and better plan.

This does not mean that everything will turn out exactly as you like. The Israelites ended up wandering around in the desert for 40 years after exiting Egypt, and only the following generation entered into the Promised Land. However, a greater meaning was established in their crying out to God.

When you get to the point where you must truly cry out, there is a huge advance in your walk of faith. You go to him with all your need and suffering and anguish. You throw yourself at the feet of his mercy. You learn to depend upon his will and his way. Here you find great meaning to your trials because, through communion with God, you seek the most important answers in your life. You are exposed, naked and vulnerable before that which is all powerful.

Celestial Results

Sometimes things turn out exactly, or nearly exactly, as you ask. Nearly always additional unforeseen blessings are heaped on top of it all. After all, he is a good and generous God.

The answer is not always in what you are asking for specifically, but instead the answer can be found in the cry itself. God’s response is guaranteed. And if your cry is sincere, and if it comes from deep trust, then you enter into a higher level of understanding and grace. Without the bondage there could be no Passover. Without the crucifixion, there could be no resurrection. All things lead back to God for those who put their hope and trust in him. In all things, God works for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28).

So when the darkness comes and when you are not sure; when the enemy is advancing and arrives at your doorstep – cry out. Lift up your voice to the Lord with all your heart, strength and soul. This is the deepest form of prayer. Your Father in heaven always hears your cry.

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KEY CONCEPTS: The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.” (Exodus 3:7)

→ The heartfelt cry out to God is a cry for deliverance.

→ This cry not only advances your faith, but it also advances God’s plan for your life.

→ Always remember the Lord’s faithfulness.

This post is an excerpt from the Ebook, Be With Him, Be Like Him,

available on Amazon today.

 

 

 

Title image source (modified).