Cry Out to God

Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. – Isaiah 59:1 (NIV)

God delights to hear our prayers and petitions. As earthly parents, we delight to fulfil the requests of our children within reasonable bounds. Nothing is too insignificant for God to know or care about. If He cares for the birds in the sky and the lilies in the fields, how much more precious are we to Him? He has a treasure house in heaven, waiting to send out love-infused presents of salvation, healing, deliverance and resources to meet our needs. The moment we pray according to His will, the answer to each prayer is prepared and stamped “Shipped to [your address]”.

God’s delivery system is triggered by our faith, persistence and earnest prayers in the mighty Name of Jesus. Each time we pray and cry out to God, the prayer bell in heaven rings. This bell is connected with a rope that dangles right in front of us. Therefore, let us not just tug at the rope occasionally or pull it languidly. Let us pull the rope with all our might!

What does God say about this?

Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

John 16:24 (NIV)

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.

Romans 8:26 (NIV)

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

1 John 5: 14,15 (NIV)

What does this mean for practical living?

God loves to hear from us. He delights to respond to the prayers of His children. He has given us a direct line to Him. As long as we seek to accomplish His will and pray in Jesus’ name, He will definitely answer. His Holy Spirit resides in us. We know that the Spirit searches the deep things of God. The Spirit knows the will of God and will reveal it to us if we will pause and take care to listen.

Let us come before God like a child, with child-like faith. Ask God for what we need, seek Him for answers to our problems and knock on His door until He opens it and gives us what we need. Persistence is key. It does not mean uttering our prayer items repetitively like a shopping list. It means reminding God about His promise to meet our real needs. It means refusing to accept God’s silence. Let us spend time in our closet and cry out to Him. Intercede for the nations, our loved ones and those whom He has placed upon our hearts. See Him work because we prayed!

Reflect and respond to God’s Word

• Recall a situation when you wished you had prayed more but did not. What happened?
• What prevents you from ringing the “prayer bell” in heaven in both normal and desperate life situations?
• Each time you pray, ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to pray in accordance with God’s will.