Is it okay to cry when you pray? Yes, absolutely! The Bible not only allows it but also shows us examples of tears in prayer. So, go ahead and let those tears flow when you pour your heart out to God.
Have you ever wondered if it’s okay to shed tears when you pray? The Bible has a lot to say about this. In this article, we’ll explore what God’s view is on crying during prayer, and we’ll dive deep into the scriptures to find the answers you’re looking for.
What Does the Bible Say About Crying When Praying?
When it comes to crying during prayer, the Bible is pretty clear: it’s allowed, and sometimes, it’s even encouraged. Prayer is a deeply personal connection between you and God, and He wants you to come to Him with your truest self, emotions and all.
In the New Testament, we see Jesus Himself shedding tears. In John 11:35, it’s famously recorded as the shortest verse in the Bible, “Jesus wept.” He cried at the death of His friend Lazarus, showing us that even the Son of God expressed His emotions through tears.
God’s view on crying during prayer is reflected in Psalm 56:8: “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 reminds us that God not only sees our tears but treasures them. Your tears are not a sign of weakness but of your deep connection with God.
In times of trouble, King David, the author of many Psalms, poured out his heart to God with tears. In Psalm 6:6-9, he cries out, “I am worn out from sobbing. All night I flood my bed with weeping, drenching it with my tears. My vision is blurred by grief; my eyes are worn out because of all my enemies.” David’s vulnerability in his prayers teaches us that it’s okay to express our sadness, fears, and worries through tears.
Crying during prayer is a natural and human response to the challenges of life. It’s a way to release our emotions and seek solace in God’s presence. So, if you find yourself shedding tears in prayer, remember that you’re in good company, and God embraces your raw and honest emotions.
Bible Verses About Crying When Praying
- Psalm 34:17-18: “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
- Psalm 42:3: “My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, ‘Where is your God?'”
- Psalm 56:8: “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.”
- Psalm 126:5-6: “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.”
- Matthew 26:36-38: “Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here, while I go over there and pray.’ And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, ‘My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.'”
- John 16:20: “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.”
- 2 Corinthians 1:3-4: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
- Revelation 21:4: “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Crying when you pray is not a sign of weakness but a testament to your deep connection with God. It’s a way to express your emotions honestly and seek comfort in His presence. So, don’t hold back your tears when you approach Him in prayer; He welcomes them with open arms.