Topical Bible: Prayer is Described as Crying to Heaven

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Prayer, in the Christian tradition, is often depicted as a heartfelt cry to heaven, a sincere and earnest communication with God. This concept is deeply rooted in the Bible, where prayer is portrayed as an intimate and urgent appeal to the divine, reflecting the believer's dependence on God's mercy, guidance, and intervention.

Biblical Instances of Crying to Heaven

The imagery of crying to heaven is vividly illustrated in several biblical passages. In 2 Chronicles 32:20, we find an example of King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah crying out to God in the face of the Assyrian threat: "In response, King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out to heaven in prayer about this." This instance underscores the urgency and desperation often associated with such prayers, as they sought divine intervention against overwhelming odds.

Similarly, in Exodus 14:10, as the Israelites faced the daunting pursuit of Pharaoh's army, they cried out to the Lord: "As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up and saw the Egyptians marching after them, and they were terrified and cried out to the LORD." This cry was a plea for deliverance, highlighting the Israelites' reliance on God's power to save them from imminent danger.

The Nature of Crying to Heaven

Crying to heaven in prayer is characterized by its intensity and sincerity. It is not merely a ritualistic or perfunctory act but a profound expression of faith and trust in God's ability to hear and respond. This form of prayer often arises from a place of deep need, distress, or gratitude, reflecting the believer's acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and compassion.

In Psalm 18:6, David exemplifies this heartfelt cry: "In my distress I called upon the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry for His help reached His ears." Here, the psalmist conveys the assurance that God is attentive to the cries of His people, responding with deliverance and support.

Theological Significance

From a theological perspective, crying to heaven in prayer signifies a recognition of human limitation and divine omnipotence. It is an act of humility, where the believer acknowledges their inability to control circumstances and turns to God as the ultimate source of help and hope. This form of prayer is a testament to the relational aspect of faith, where believers engage with God as a loving Father who is both willing and able to intervene in their lives.

Moreover, crying to heaven is an expression of the believer's confidence in God's promises. In 1 John 5:14-15, the apostle John assures believers of God's attentiveness: "And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we already possess what we have asked of Him." This passage reinforces the belief that God is responsive to the cries of His children, aligning His actions with His divine will and purpose.

Practical Implications for Believers

For contemporary believers, the concept of crying to heaven in prayer serves as a powerful reminder of the accessibility and responsiveness of God. It encourages Christians to approach God with boldness and sincerity, bringing their deepest concerns, fears, and joys before Him. This practice fosters a deeper relationship with God, rooted in trust and reliance on His grace and provision.

In times of trial or uncertainty, believers are invited to follow the example of biblical figures who cried out to heaven, trusting in God's faithfulness to hear and answer their prayers. This act of crying to heaven becomes a vital component of the Christian life, nurturing a spirit of dependence on God and cultivating a heart of worship and gratitude.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Chronicles 32:20
And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Prevailing Prayer.
... why, then, should persons be thought to be distracted, when they cannot forbear
crying out at ... I am to show that such prayer as I have described will avail ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture iv prevailing prayer.htm

My Creed Leads Me to Think that Prayer is Efficacious...
... It is no voice crying unheard and unheeded in the silence. ... Prayer puts God in full
force in the world. ... God is described as laughing at their enfeebled hate. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter i my creed leads.htm

The Gethsemane Prayer
... The scene is well described by Luke ... for prayer, He makes our will the measure and
condition of prayer. ... dread, of hesitancy and shrinking back, of crying out for ...
/.../bounds/the reality of prayer/xii the gethsemane prayer.htm

Preparation for Service
... I had hitherto had no lack, and I continued in prayer. ... get into such a state as he
described, and that ... thirty-six hours old, moaning rather than crying at her ...
/.../taylor/a retrospect/chapter iii preparation for service.htm

Prayer Takes in the Whole Man
... somewhat the praying of our Lord described as in ... up prayers and supplications, with
strong crying and tears ... Gethsemane was in an agony of prayer, which engaged ...
/.../bounds/the essentials of prayer/i prayer takes in the.htm

The Christian Described
... THE CHRISTIAN DESCRIBED. ... thou hast enough of faith: no, thou wilt be often crying
out, "Lord ... supper, in baptism, yea, in preaching the word and prayer, were they ...
/.../bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xii the christian described.htm

The First vision "In Heaven": Chapters 4-5
... The martyred ones are represented as crying "How long, O Sovereign ... The Zoa are described
in Ezekiel (chap ... we have the same thought in the great Kingdom-prayer: ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the first vision in heaven .htm

A Poor Man's Cry, and what came of It
... But frequently according to our text, prayer is best described as a cry ... "This poor
man cried." This poor man did not make a grand oration; he took to crying. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/a poor mans cry and.htm

Psalm CXLII.
... In the former part he set down his crying, in the ... 7. "Give heed unto my prayer, for
much have I been ... Let us see whether they are plainly described by any ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxlii.htm

The Blind Beggar
... The poor blind man's faith described in this passage of ... be saved, thy faith must
exercise itself in crying. ... by the very earnest use of the knocker of prayer. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the blind beggar.htm