Crying out is part of Thanksgiving

Crying out to God comes when we reach the end of our strength.  The word David uses in verse 8 translated “call” comes closer to our concept of crying out loud.  Visualize the difference between these two concepts.  “Calling” paints the idea of a calm discussion with God.  “Crying out to God” represents a deep emotional moment when you know you have reached a point where you are powerless.  Where only God can act.

This moment takes faith and thanksgiving requires faith.  You cry out to God trusting Him to intervene on your behalf.  But it is the faith of limited choices.  Look at one group of people in the bible who cried out to Jesus for help, for healing.

 Luke 17

12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:

13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.

 

I don’t know why, but I don’t think these 10 men spoke in a calm voice. Nope, I think they cried out to the miracle worker, knowing no leper had been healed since Elijah hundreds of years before, but hoping and with a germ of faith.  Their disease costed them everything.  They were forced to live in exile away from family and friends.  Jobs and property were out of the question.  Rules forced lepers to cry out unclean whenever people came near.  These 10 knew they could not heal themselves.

Thanksgiving grows from people who reach the point of crying out in the name of the Lord because it is at that moment faith can grow.   You reach a point where if an answer comes you do not doubt God answered.  You know God acted on your behalf.

There are people who cry out to the Lord and when the prayer is answered they create all kinds of explanations regarding why it might have happened.  But for a moment when you cry out to the Lord, you trust God, even if it is just a little bit, to respond to you.

Crying out in the name of the Lord is a starting point for learning to live a life of gratitude.

Exercise

List times you have cried out in the name of the Lord.  Not times when you have calmly prayed for God to help, but those times when you knew you were completely relying on Him for an answer.  Keep this list for later.

Playlist Song:

Cry Of My Heart Invitation Music            The World’s Most Loved Classic Worship