In what ways can we encourage others to "cry out" to the Lord? Key Verse Psalm 34:17: “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears; He delivers them from all their troubles.” Why Crying Out Matters • Scripture consistently links crying out with God’s personal intervention (Psalm 107:13; Jeremiah 33:3). • The action is vocal, vulnerable, and faith-filled—an acknowledgment that help must come from the Lord alone (Psalm 18:6). • When believers make this their reflex, it magnifies God’s sufficiency and keeps hearts soft toward Him. Modeling a Life That Cries Out • Let people overhear your spontaneous prayers––in the car, at the table, on a walk. • Share answered-prayer stories so they see the connection between crying out and God’s response (Psalm 40:1-3). • Admit your own weakness; authenticity gives others permission to do the same (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). Pointing to God’s Promises • Keep key “call and answer” verses handy: – Psalm 50:15 “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you…” – Joel 2:32 “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” – Hebrews 4:16 “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence…” • When someone hesitates, read these aloud and emphasize God’s reliability, not their performance. Creating Safe Spaces for Honest Prayer • In small groups, invite people to finish the sentence, “Lord, I need You to…” aloud. • During family devotions, let every member voice one desperate request. • In corporate worship, include moments of unstructured vocal prayer, normalizing emotional expression (Psalm 142:1-2). Serving Practically While Pointing Upward • Meet immediate needs—meals, rides, childcare—then say, “Let’s ask the Lord for what only He can do.” • Acts of mercy soften hearts; combined with prayer they direct gratitude heavenward (Matthew 5:16). Walking Beside People in Their Pain • Sit with them and pray out loud when words fail them (Romans 8:26-27). • Use Psalms of lament as a script they can borrow: Psalm 61, 86, 130. • Follow up; persistence demonstrates that God also stays close (Psalm 34:18). Celebrating God’s Answers Publicly • When deliverance comes, retell it in the congregation (Psalm 66:16). • Encourage testimonies in gatherings; every story reinforces the habit of crying out (Luke 8:39). Maintaining Ongoing Intercession • Keep a written list of names and requests; pray through it regularly, updating answers. • Text or call the person when you pray, reinforcing expectancy. • Recruit prayer partners so no one feels alone in petition (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). Living the Invitation Our example, our words, and our practical help all converge to say, “Turn to Him now.” As we keep directing eyes heavenward, others learn that the safest, fastest, and surest response in every situation is to cry out to the Lord—who still hears and still delivers. |
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