In Jesus' NameExemplo

Prayer-Filled Tears

In 2007, New Life Church in Colorado was devastated when a young man armed with guns came onto the church campus during weekend services, ending the lives of two young girls and then his own. Later, the details of what happened were being shared with a classroom full of men and women who had gathered to learn more about prayer. As the teacher was relaying the information, she meant to say, “Upon learning of the event, my eyes splashed tears.” But what she actually said was, “My eyes splashed prayers.”

There are times in our lives when we find ourselves overwhelmed by circumstances out of our control: a bad report from the doctor, a prodigal son or daughter, a nation under attack—situations that cause more questions than answers. It’s during times like these that people say they don’t have the right words, they don’t know how to pray or they don’t know the right scripture. Yet sometimes the deepest form of prayer is tears—to be so moved by a situation that your spirit cries out from your deepest being and your tears become a sweet incense of prayer to the Father.

The Holy Spirit was sent to help us when we don’t have the words to pray, when all we can do is cry out to God with tears. Romans 8:26–27 says, “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” When we don’t have the words to say and only tears come forth, the Holy Spirit understands those tears and groans and articulates them to the Father on our behalf. Honest, heartfelt tears move the heart of God.

The Bible tells us Hannah’s tears stirred the heart of God. For years, she fervently prayed and cried out to God for a child. 1 Samuel 1:10 says, “Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord.” She continued to pour out her heart with tears to the One who was able to grant her request. We’ve all experienced times when what we’re facing seems impossible. Like Hannah, we are in deep anguish, crying as we pray—desperate for an answer, a miracle, a resolution. And just as God heard Hannah, and she received her heart’s longing, God also hears us and sees our tears of intercession.

Tears are a powerful secret weapon in our arsenal of prayer. Through the Spirit, they propel us into genuine, selfless prayers on behalf of others and ourselves. The Holy Spirit understands those tears and conveys them to the Father. The Father, full of compassion, acts upon those prayers in His perfect will.

The Lord called unto me one day while I was speaking, ‘A spirit connected with Mine, is what I am seeking. Awake, arise, abide; be on the alert, For today some of my children will experience hurt.’ Deep within, my spirit cried out, ‘Lord, what does this mean?’ I wanted to shout. A stillness overcame me, a fresh burden to bear. As I yielded to the Master, my eyes splashed prayers.
~ Kathy Overton

Prayer

Father, thank You for seeing my tears and hearing my prayers. Thank You for allowing me to come before Your throne with tears and groaning, especially when my heart is too heavy to utter words. Move upon my heart today to intercede from a place of compassionate strength knowing You hear every cry for justice, righteousness, wholeness and the return of Your kingdom to earth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Activation

• Do a word study on tears. Search for scriptural references, and allow the Father to speak through them into your life
• Share the grief of those around you and help them to place it on the shoulders of Christ.
• Cry out to God when you see injustices, asking for His hand to move in the situation.

Memory Verse

O Lord, hear my plea for justice. Listen to my cry for help. Pay attention to my prayer, for it comes from honest lips. Psalm 17:1 (NLT)