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What Does The Bible Say About Crying When Praying? – Viral Believer
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What Does The Bible Say About Crying When Praying?

Introduction

When you pray, is it okay to cry? What does the Bible say about crying when praying?

Here are four things that the Bible says about crying when praying:

  1. Jesus Cries. The Bible says that Jesus wept (John 11:35). This shows us that it is okay to cry when we pray.
  2. Prayer is Supplication. The Bible says that prayer is a form of supplication (1 Peter 3:12). This means that we can come before God with our needs and requests, and we can do so in a humble and sincere way.
  3. Prayer is an Act of Faith. The Bible says that faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). This means that, when we pray, we are trusting in God’s goodness and faithfulness, even though we may not be able to see everything clearly.
  4. God Hears Us When We Cry. The Bible says that God hears the prayers of His children ( Psalm 65:2). This means that He is attentive to our prayers, no matter how big or small they may seem.
crying while praying

Reflections on Crying When Praying in Scripture

When you pray, you are talking to God as a friend.

God is interested in your feelings, and he wants to comfort you when you are sad. That is why the bible says that we should weep and mourn when we pray.

When you pray, don’t be afraid to cry. God will comfort you and give you the strength to face whatever challenges you are facing.

The bible even tells us that Jesus himself cried when he was praying. In Luke 22:44, Jesus prayed in agony and great sadness that caused him to shed tears. Jesus was fully human and fully divine, so he experienced emotions like sadness and pain as we do. His example shows us that we can cry to God when we pray.

The Bible is full of examples of people crying out to God in sorrow or joy. In Jeremiah 31:18, Jeremiah expresses his grief over the destruction of Jerusalem with tears. In John 11:35, Jesus cries out of compassion for his friend, Lazarus, who had died.

The Bible also talks about the joy that comes with prayer. In Psalm 126:6, the psalmist rejoices that God has answered his prayers: “He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with shouts of joy, carrying sheaves with him.” In this image, the psalmist expresses the joy that comes from answered prayer.

The Bible encourages us to pour out our hearts to God without fear or shame. When we pray, we can bring our tears, sorrows, and joys to God, knowing that he will listen and comfort us.

The Purpose of Tears in Prayer

When you pray, tears can serve as a way to connect with God.

Your tears are a way to express your emotions and connect with God. They are a sign of your humility and your willingness to submit to Him.

God does not despise tears; He actually views them as a sign of reverence. So don’t be afraid to cry when you pray. Let your tears flow freely, and trust that God will receive them with love and compassion.

In addition to connecting with God, tears in prayer can also release the pain and sorrow of life. Tears are a way to express your grief over a lost loved one, a brokenhearted prayer for a sick friend, or a deep yearning for God’s presence in the midst of suffering.

Crying during prayer can also represent an attitude of surrender—allowing God to meet you in the depths of your sorrow and comfort you in your distress. It can be a way of entrusting your pain and your burdens to Him and finding hope and strength in His presence.

When Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane, He openly wept in agony. His disciples awoke to find Him crying, and the Bible tells us that He was in agony, knowing what was ahead of Him. Yet, He still trusted and believed in the will of God. So, if Jesus Himself prayed through His tears, we too can do the same.

Tears have the power to open our hearts and invite God into the deepest parts of our being. When we humble ourselves before Him, He will hear us, even if we can only express ourselves through tears.

As the Psalmist says, “Let your tears flow like a river,” and God will come to meet you in your pain, sorrow, and longing.

Biblical Examples of Crying When Praying

The Bible is full of examples of people crying when they pray.

When David mourned the death of his son Absalom, he cried and tore his clothes (2 Samuel 1:11-12). When Hannah prayed for a child, she cried so bitterly that Eli thought she was drunk (1 Samuel 1:10). And when Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane, he prayed with such intensity that he sweats blood (Luke 22:44).

These examples show that crying when you pray is not only acceptable, but it can be a powerful way to express your emotions.

The Bible talks about crying in other contexts as well. When Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-42), and when Nehemiah wept over the condition of the people of Israel (Nehemiah 1:4), they were expressing their sadness and pain over the situation.

The Psalms, which were written by David, are a great example of how to pour out your emotions to God. In many of the Psalms, David talks about being overwhelmed with grief (Psalms 6:6; 38:9; 42:3; 69:3).

He cries out for help (Psalms 28:2; 86:6; 116:4; 143:6), and speaks of his sorrow and fear (Psalms 33:20; 38:17-18; 55:1-8).

It is clear from these passages that crying when praying is not a sign of weakness but rather a way to express the depth of your prayers. In fact, it is often when we are the most vulnerable that we can draw closest to God.

As Paul says in Romans 8:26, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” By letting the Spirit intercede for us in our weakness, we can let ourselves feel free to cry when we pray.

Different Types of Tears in the Bible

According to Scripture, there are different types of tears associated with prayer. Tears of joy are seen in the Bible when someone is thanked or praised for their good works, while tears of sorrow can arise from feeling the pain and suffering of another person.

Tears of supplication and repentance are also found in the Bible, where a person humbly pleads to God for forgiveness or guidance.

Furthermore, tears of gratitude can spring forth when one acknowledges God’s providence and mercy. Finally, tears can be expressions of grief or regret over something that has been lost or taken away.

Benefits of Showing Emotion When Praying

Crying when praying can be beneficial in many ways. According to the Bible, it is a sign of true faith and humility. Additionally, it can help to release your emotions and focus on the things that matter most. When you cry for God and for others, it can be a powerful reflection of your spiritual commitment.

Crying during prayer can also have a calming effect. It can help to slow down your breathing, reduce anxiety and stress levels, and bring you into a peaceful place of meditation and self-forgiveness.

Crying while praying allows us to reach higher states of consciousness by connecting our innermost thoughts with God’s love.

How to Approach Crying During Prayer

As you approach the topic of crying while praying, it’s essential to understand that there is no right or wrong answer. The Bible doesn’t give a definitive answer on prayer and crying, but it should be considered a form of worship and a way to show your devotion.

When approaching the concept of crying while praying, focus on the feelings in your heart and recognize them as an offering of praise to God. Take time to express yourself fully with your words, thoughts, and emotions and don’t be afraid to show emotion.

There’s no shame in shedding tears when you feel moved by the Spirit. God will receive your prayers whether you cry or not.

Conclusion

When you pray, always pray with thanksgiving. You can pray with tears, but don’t let your sorrow keep you from praying.

The Bible is filled with encouraging words and reminders that God hears our prayers and draws us close to Him. In Psalm 34:18, the Bible says, “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”

God wants us to come to Him with our sorrows in the form of prayers. We should never be afraid to pray out our hurt and frustration, even if it makes us cry.

God understands our tears. He even understands our anger and frustration. When we bring these things before the Lord in prayer, He can use them to bring us even closer to Him. He can help us through our dark times, and He can take our prayers of sorrow and make something beautiful out of them.

The Bible encourages us to cry out to God in times of need. In Psalm 130:1-2, it says, “Out of the depths I cry to you, LORD; Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.” God listens to our cries and understands our feelings. He promises to be with us, no matter how deep our suffering.

The Bible is clear that God wants us to cry out to Him. He welcomes our cries of sorrow and despair. When we come to Him in prayer, He will be there to listen to us and comfort us. As we continue to draw closer to Him, He will transform us through His grace and fill us with joy.

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.