What Does the Bible Say About Crying When Praying?

Written By Mary Carter

Mary is a devoted Bible student who loves sharing her knowledge, inspiring others with faith-filled insights, and deepening spiritual understanding through writing.

Prayer is one of the most personal and powerful ways to connect with God.

It is a time to pour out our hearts, seek His guidance, and find comfort in His presence.

Sometimes, during prayer, emotions become overwhelming, and tears begin to flow.

But is it okay to cry while praying?

Does the Bible mention tears in prayer?

Are tears a sign of weakness, or do they hold deeper meaning in our relationship with God?

The Bible has a lot to say about tears, emotions, and the way God responds to a broken heart.

Let’s explore what Scripture teaches about crying when praying and how our tears can draw us closer to God.

God Sees Every Tear

The Bible is clear that God sees every tear His people shed.

Psalm 56:8 says, “You keep track of all my sorrows.

You have collected all my tears in your bottle.

You have recorded each one in your book.”

This verse reveals something incredible—God does not ignore our pain.

Every tear that falls from our eyes is seen and remembered by Him.

Tears are not meaningless.

They are expressions of deep emotions, and God cares about every single one of them.

When you cry during prayer, you are not alone.

God is present, listening, and understanding what is in your heart, even when words fail.

Jesus Himself Wept

Jesus, the Son of God, was not afraid to show emotion.

He experienced sorrow, compassion, and grief—just like we do.

One of the most well-known moments of Jesus weeping is found in John 11:35, which says, “Jesus wept.”

This happened when His friend Lazarus had died.

Even though Jesus knew He was about to raise Lazarus from the dead, He still felt the weight of grief and loss.

This moment shows that crying is not a sign of weakness but a natural expression of love and sorrow.

Another powerful moment of Jesus weeping was in Luke 19:41, where He looked over Jerusalem and wept for the people who rejected Him.

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He felt deep compassion for them, knowing they were lost.

If Jesus, the Son of God, could cry, then we should never feel ashamed of our own tears.

Crying during prayer is not a lack of faith—it is a genuine expression of our hearts before God.

Crying in Prayer Shows a Deep Connection With God

Tears in prayer often come from a place of deep connection with God.

When we truly pour out our hearts, we are allowing ourselves to be vulnerable before Him.

This kind of honesty is powerful.

Hannah, the mother of Samuel, is a great example of someone who cried out to God in prayer.

In 1 Samuel 1:10, it says, “In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly.”

Hannah was heartbroken because she could not have children.

She did not try to hide her pain—she brought it before God with tears.

And God heard her.

He answered her prayer and blessed her with a son.

This story reminds us that God welcomes our raw emotions.

We do not have to hold back our tears when we pray.

God understands, and He responds to those who seek Him with sincerity.

Tears Are a Form of Worship

Crying in prayer is not just about sorrow—it can also be an act of worship.

There are times when we are overwhelmed by God’s goodness, grace, and presence.

Tears can flow out of gratitude, love, and awe of who He is.

Luke 7:37-38 tells the story of a woman who wept at the feet of Jesus.

She was a sinner, yet she came to Jesus with a heart full of repentance and love.

It says, “A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume.

As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears.

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Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and poured perfume on them.”

Her tears were an offering of love.

She was not ashamed to cry in the presence of Jesus because she knew He was her Savior.

Sometimes, when we experience the presence of God in prayer, our hearts overflow with emotion.

And that is perfectly okay.

God Draws Near to the Brokenhearted

The Bible repeatedly reassures us that God is close to those who are hurting.

Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

When you cry in prayer, you are not crying alone.

God is right there with you, offering comfort and peace.

There are moments in life when pain feels unbearable, and the only thing we can do is cry before God.

David, a man after God’s own heart, experienced this many times.

In Psalm 6:6, he writes, “I am worn out from my groaning.

All night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.”

Yet despite his sorrow, David always turned to God.

And God remained faithful to him.

No matter what you are going through, God sees your pain.

He is near, and He will never leave you.

Tears Can Bring Healing

Crying during prayer is not just an emotional release—it can also bring healing.

When we hold in our pain, stress, or sadness, it can weigh us down.

But when we release it in God’s presence, we find peace.

Lamentations 2:19 encourages believers to cry out to God:

“Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord.”

Pouring out your heart like water means giving everything to God—holding nothing back.

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Tears can cleanse the soul, washing away burdens we were never meant to carry alone.

When we cry in prayer, we are surrendering our struggles to God, allowing Him to bring healing and restoration.

The Holy Spirit Intercedes When Words Fail

There are times when pain is so deep that words cannot express what we feel.

But even then, God understands.

Romans 8:26 says, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.

We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”

When words fail, the Holy Spirit prays for us.

He knows exactly what is in our hearts, even when all we can do is cry.

This is one of the most comforting truths in Scripture.

Our prayers do not have to be eloquent or perfect—God understands every tear and every unspoken word.

Final Thoughts

Crying when praying is not a sign of weakness.

It is a sign of a heart that is fully open before God.

The Bible shows us that God sees our tears, that Jesus Himself wept, and that crying in prayer can be an act of worship, healing, and surrender.

God does not ignore a broken heart.

He draws near, listens, and responds with love and comfort.

If you find yourself crying in prayer, do not hold back.

Let the tears fall, knowing that God is right there with you, holding every tear in His hands.

Prayer is not just about words—it is about relationship.

And sometimes, the deepest prayers are the ones spoken through tears.