Throughout the Bible, the theme of God responding to the cries of His people under oppression is a powerful testament to His faithfulness and compassion. Those who call upon God in times of distress and persecution often find Him to be a refuge and deliverer. This entry explores instances where individuals or groups, facing oppression, received answers to their prayers by calling upon the Lord.

1. The Israelites in Egypt

The Israelites' bondage in Egypt is one of the most significant examples of God responding to the cries of His oppressed people. The Israelites groaned under the harsh slavery imposed by Pharaoh, and their cries for help reached God. In Exodus 2:23-25 , it is written: "After a long time, the king of Egypt died, and the Israelites groaned because of their bondage, and they cried out, and their cry for help because of their bondage rose up to God. So God heard their groaning, and He remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God saw the Israelites and took notice."

God's response was to raise up Moses as a deliverer, leading to the liberation of the Israelites from Egypt through a series of miraculous events. This narrative underscores the principle that God is attentive to the cries of those who are oppressed and acts in accordance with His covenant promises.

2. Hannah's Prayer for a Child

Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel, experienced personal oppression through her barrenness and the provocation of her rival, Peninnah. In her deep distress, Hannah prayed earnestly to the Lord, pouring out her soul in the temple. 1 Samuel 1:10-11 records her prayer: "In her bitter distress, Hannah prayed to the LORD and wept with many tears. And she made a vow, pleading, 'O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever come over his head.'"

God answered Hannah's prayer, granting her a son, Samuel, who would become a significant leader and prophet in Israel. Hannah's account illustrates how God responds to the heartfelt prayers of those who are oppressed by personal circumstances.

3. King Hezekiah's Prayer Against Assyrian Threat

King Hezekiah of Judah faced a dire threat from the Assyrian king Sennacherib, who besieged Jerusalem and mocked the God of Israel. In response, Hezekiah went to the house of the Lord and spread out the threatening letter before God, praying for deliverance. 2 Kings 19:15-19 captures his prayer: "And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD: 'O LORD, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth. Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see; listen to the words that Sennacherib has sent to defy the living God. Truly, O LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste these nations and their lands. They have cast their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods, but only wood and stone—the work of human hands. But now, O LORD our God, please save us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, O LORD, are God.'"

God answered Hezekiah's prayer by sending an angel who struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, leading to the retreat of Sennacherib. This account demonstrates God's power to deliver His people from external oppression when they call upon Him in faith.

4. The Early Church's Prayer for Peter's Release

In the New Testament, the early church faced persecution from various authorities. One notable instance is the imprisonment of the Apostle Peter by King Herod. The church responded by earnestly praying for Peter's release. Acts 12:5 states: "So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was fervently praying to God for him."

God answered their prayers by sending an angel to miraculously free Peter from prison, as described in Acts 12:7-11. This event highlights the power of collective prayer in the face of oppression and the miraculous interventions that can result from such faith-filled petitions.

These biblical accounts affirm that God is attentive to the cries of those who are oppressed and that He responds to their prayers with deliverance and aid. Whether facing national, personal, or communal oppression, the faithful can trust in God's promise to hear and answer their prayers.Isaiah 19:20
And it shall be for a sign and for a witness to the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry to the LORD because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a savior, and a great one, and he shall deliver them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Potency of Prayer Hath Subdued the Strength of Fire...
... expression of a child who has just received a kindness ... think Christians fail so often
to get answers to their ... When we acquire the habit of prayer we enter into ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter iv the potency of.htm

Cheer for Despondency
... object but who up till now have received no answer ... dear friends, that you have obtained
answers to prayer ... toil in the Master's service, nor dispirited in prayer. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/cheer for despondency.htm

Upon the Character of Balaam. Preached the Second Sunday after ...
... Moab, where he pronounced this solemn prayer or wish ... Balaam answers him, he hath
showed thee, O man ... the territories of Moab, and being received with particular ...
//christianbookshelf.org/butler/human nature/sermon vii upon the character.htm

Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
... and doctrines might be tolerated, might be received with more ... One said prayer, another
fasting; but St. ... I:reply: Christ answers the question when he tells us ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/fourth sunday after epiphany.htm

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
... It is the ceaseless prayer of their heart, "I beseech thee ... to the measure of grace
which he has received, he uses ... Paul answers, "He that is born after the flesh ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 23 upon our lords.htm

Knox and Queen Mary (Continued), 1564-1567
... We know what manner of answers he received, in 1554 ... The Reformer composed a prayer,
repenting that "in quiet I am negligent, in trouble impatient, tending to ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter xvii knox and queen.htm

Later English Reformers.
... assembled to pour out their souls in prayer and praise. ... Last month I received one
blow, and this evening two ... that "the preaching of the gospel answers all the ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /14 later english reformers.htm

Later English Reformers
... assembled to pour out their souls in prayer and praise. ... Last month I received one
blow, and this evening two ... that "the preaching of the gospel answers all the ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 14 later english reformers.htm

A Word for the Persecuted
... Pray much for them, for prayer is still heard, and ... Rough answers outside need not
trouble you while within there ... you for the benefit I have received by reading ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 20 1874/a word for the persecuted.htm

The Saybrook Platform and the Toleration Act
... All were received as members of the Seventh-day ... they had given such satisfactory,
if evasive, answers. ... sacraments and using the common prayer book, provided ...
/.../chapter vii the saybrook platform.htm

Questions about Prayer (All) | GotQuestions.org

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What is a prayer circle? | GotQuestions.org

Prayer: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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