Crying Out to God
And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to CRY OUT, and say, Jesus, Thou Son of David, haver mercy on me. Mark 10:47
There are many reasons why our prayers and not always answered. We all know that sin interferes with successful praying (Psalm 66:18; Isaiah 59:1-2). The other common reason as to why our prayers never get answered is because of PRAYERLESSNESS. In other words, we just do not pray. Ye have not because ye ask not (James 4:2). Are we really dependent on the Lord or do we think we might be able to figure this thing out for ourselves?
The question then is really, just how desperate are we to see God do something in our lives in relationship to our praying.
1. As Jesus entered Jericho, blind Bartimaeus began to cry out to Jesus. The people that were there tried to get him to hold his peace, but he cried out all the more and Jesus heard his cry and gave him his sight.
2. In II Kings 20, Hezekiah was sick unto death. He turned his face to the wall, prayed to the LORD, and he wept sore (verse 3). He cried out to God with great weeping. Notice God’s response in verse 5. Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I HAVE SEEN THY TEARS: behold, I will heal thee.
It is important that we understand that both of these men were totally dependent on the Lord. They could do nothing, absolutely nothing, about their own needs, which were more than they could bear. The cry of Bartimaeus was, Have mercy on me! When is the last time you cried out to God about some need in your life? When is the last time you asked God for mercy? Are any of you in a situation where your need is more than you can bear?
This is where you have to ask yourself, “Do I really believe what God tells me in His Word?” I Corinthians 10:13 states – There hath no temptation take you but such as IS COMMON TO MAN: but God is faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted ABOVE THAT YE ARE ABLE; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Yes, the word “temptation” can be any allurement to evil, but it can also be translated adversity. The promise of the text here is not to provide a way out of the adversity, but to enable you to be able to bear it, which quite often is a supply of His strength.
3. Notice in the psalms how often the psalmist cried out to God. When David was in danger from the rebellion of Absalom, Psalm 3:4 reads, I CRIED unto the LORD WITH MY VOICE, and He heard me out of His holy hill. In my distress I called upon the LORD, and CRIED unto my God: He heard my voice out of His temple, and my cry came before Him (Psalm 18:6). Note Psalm 22:23, 30:2,8, 34:6, 72:1, 88:11,13, 107:6,13, 120:1, 138:3, 142:1. Relating to the above question as to how desperate are we when we pray, Psalm 119:145 reveals the desperation of the psalmist. I cried with my whole heart! The psalmist said that God heard the voice of his supplications when he cried unto Him (Psalm 31:22).
Yes, sin does get in the way of our being heard when we pray, but there is one sin that keeps us from crying out to God and it is the sin of personal pride. Pride manifests itself in our failure to humble ourselves before the Lord. Humble yourselves in the sight of the LORD, and He shall lift you up (James 4:10). Bartimaeus did not care who heard him. He desperately needed mercy.
Giving up too easily is another problem as to why we do not hear from God. In response to Daniel’s prayer, God said, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, THY WORDS WERE HEARD (Daniel 10:12). Daniel had persisted before the Lord twenty-one days. It is important to recognize that HE NEVER GAVE UP!
The Apostle Paul reminds us, Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6, 7). No matter how desperate the circumstances, when we have cried out to God, and choosing not to be anxious; therefore never giving up, we can have the peace of God in the midst of anything that could take place in our lives. Wait on the LORD (Psalm 27:14; 37:34; Proverbs 20:22).
Once you cry out to the Lord and God does something in your life, it is never the same afterward. Bartimaeus cried out for mercy and Jesus healed his blindness and Mark 10:52 states – And immediately he received his sight, AND FOLLOWED JESUS IN THE WAY.
The word prayer is somewhat synonymous with crying out to God. Sometimes, other desperate measures may be necessary. And He (Jesus) said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer (crying out) and fasting (Mark 9:29). Yes, the Lord might even say, “Wait” for a period of time to accomplish some purpose that He can see that we do not. Do not become anxious for God’s timing is always perfect. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD (Psalm 27:14). Waiting, fasting and crying out to God all refer to a fervency that was characteristic of the biblical saints. Jeremiah experienced things in his life that we most likely will never have to face. God’s Word for Him is for us as well. Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not (Jeremiah 33:3).
George Stiekes held successful pastorates in churches in Michigan and Washington among other places. He currently resides in North Carolina and blogs at Reverent Reflections. We recommend his ministry and republish his material by permission.
Excellent discussion of problems in prayer! Thank you!