In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; Romans 8:26
How long has it been since you were hurting so bad that you didn’t know how to pray or what to say? We can all get locked into our emotions. When this happens we can’t focus or reason. But, if we don’t know how or what to pray, the Bible says not to worry for God’s Spirit does our praying in and for us. He forms our prayer from our wordless sighs, our aching groans and, yes, our tears. Tears can purge our mind and spirit so we can see more clearly, so we can come to our senses so to speak. Tears literally wash the windows of our soul. When we hold it all in, we don’t release words or thoughts. Tears help us release our thoughts and words to help us work through things. Thank goodness that when we are so distraught He can carry the load for us.
You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle.
You have recorded each one in your book. (Psalm 56:8 NLT)
You have recorded each one in your book. (Psalm 56:8 NLT)
"Let us learn to think of tears as liquid prayers; and of weeping as a constant dropping of importunate intercession which will wear its way right surely into the very heart of mercy,
despite the stony difficulties which obstruct the way."
despite the stony difficulties which obstruct the way."
Charles H. Spurgeon (1834-1892)
One woman gave a testimony of the power of praying through her tears:
I remember once trying to stifle tears (as I usually do) after a heart wrenching incident and a wise woman told me not to hold back my tears because they were liquid prayers. That theory has stuck with me because I always feel better after I pray and likewise after I cry. The situation may not change, but God always changes a piece of me in prayer. So there I was watering my black slacks with prayers. My tears were speaking to God because I didn’t even know what I needed to say or what I needed Him to do; I just knew that I needed some help! But the Holy Spirit was right there speaking through my tears! After I was done crying a river I asked God why he would want to bottle up my tears. His response to me was this;
“Every time you cry, I make sure I’m there to wipe your tears away so that each one is caught in my hands and can be placed in a bottle. (Isaiah 25:8) As liquid prayers, I store them up and use them to water the very situation that caused them. This bottle of tears about your job will water your future business so that it may grow into a successful venture. This bottle of tears about your ill child will be used to water her healing and distinguish the fire of more serious illnesses that the enemy will try to cripple her with. This bottle of tears for your ticket is to water your responsibility so that you may grow into the Proverbial 31 woman I designed you to be. Your bottle of tears for your husband will be used to water you into a wife whose words are like honey (Psalm 16:24). And then I have this bottle of miscellaneous tears. They are from the times when you were overcome with emotion and didn’t know why. I pour these out on the extra stuff every time I just want to show you favor for those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy! (Psalm 126:5 NIV)” Needless to say, I started crying all over again!
There are different kinds of tears. Some form from the frustration of not being able to express our feelings. Having no words to express what we feel, we shed tears. There is crying we do from our body; physical wounds and pain cause theses tears. There is also crying from our soul; the pain of deep emotional hurt. And then, there is crying from our spirit, coming from emptiness, desperation and agony.
Maybe it’s time to let go of your anger, stress, frustration, or pain and just have a good cry! Fear of going out of control may hold you back. Concern about what others think may inhibit you. But the benefits outweigh the risks. Maybe when you are out of control God can get in control.
In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God for help; He heard my voice out of His temple, and my cry for help before Him came into His ears. Psalms 18:6
Heavenly Father, Hear my cries. In Jesus name, Amen
