Jeremiah was a prophet of God and his prophecies about the victory of the Babylonians had not been well received by King Zedekiah. For that reason, Jeremías was imprisoned in the courtyard of the jail. But Jeremiah knew where to turn in his moments of difficulty: he cried out to the Lord and stopped to listen to his voice.
The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah a second time, while he was still a prisoner in the courtyard of the guard: “Thus says he whose name is the Lord, who made the earth, and formed it, and established it firmly: “ Cry to me and I will answer you, and I will make known to you great and hidden things that you do not know.”
(Jeremiah 33:1-3)
The situation in which the people of Israel found themselves at that time was delicate. They were under siege from Babylon and there was no escape. In time the nation would be restored, but first they would go through the fulfillment of the judgment that God had pronounced upon them. The people had turned their backs on God, they had not listened to his warnings or his call to repentance and now they were living the consequences.
God knew the heart of his servant Jeremiah and spoke words of encouragement and hope. First (verse 2), God reminded Jeremiah of who he was: the almighty creator God. God then encouraged Jeremiah to share his burden with him, to express to him what was on his heart. Ultimately, God assured Jeremiah that He would respond to his cry and even bring new revelation into his life.
Cry out to God!
Cry to me and I will answer you, and I will make known to you great and hidden things that you do not know.
(Jeremiah 33:3)
Like Jeremiah, you too can turn to God at any time, even in times of difficulty. Cry out to God is to speak and share with him what worries or afflicts you to ask for his intervention. By crying out to God you can feel the freedom to empty your heart before him. There is nothing you can say to God that will take him by surprise. He knows your heart and what is happening to you, but he longs to hear your voice and for you to share your situations with him.
When crying out to God:
Bring to mind Bible promises and verses that talk about God’s power and care for his children. Recall experiences you have had with the Lord in which you have seen his power in action. Don’t let your problems overshadow the reality of the greatness and power of God.
- Bear your burdens before the Lord
Speak to God with sincerity, tell him everything that happens to you. Take your problems to him and tell him how you feel.
- Pay attention to what God tells you
Take time to listen to God. You can write down the Bible verses that come to your mind or phrases that you feel come from the Lord. Ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Be attentive to what God wants to reveal to you about your situation and about other things. Many times we discover our potential and new gifts when we find ourselves in the midst of challenging situations. Ask God for the courage to take the steps he tells you. Your life is in his hands and with his help you will be able to get ahead.
Other Verses on Crying Out to God
Psalm 18:6
In my anguish I called on the Lord; I cried out to my God, and he heard me from his temple; My cry reached his ears!
(Psalm 18:6)
Psalm 5:1-3
Listen, Lord, to my words; mind my moans.
Hear my pleas, my king and my God, because I raise my prayer to you.
In the morning, Lord, you hear my cry;
in the morning I present my prayers to you,
and I await your response.
(Psalm 5:1-3)
Psalm 55:1
Hear, O God, my prayer; do not ignore my plea.
(Psalm 55:1)
Psalm 55:16-18
But I will cry out to God, and the Lord will save me.
Morning, noon and night I cry out in anguish, and he hears me.
Although there are many who fight me,
he rescues me, saves my life in the battle that is waged against me.
(Psalm 55:16-18)
1 John 5:14
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask according to his will, he hears us.
(1 John 5:14)
Psalm 34:6
This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him and delivered him out of all his troubles.
(Psalm 34:6)
Psalm 34:17-18
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
deliver them from all their troubles.
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted,
and save those who are downcast in spirit.
(Psalm 34:17-18)
Psalm 107:6
In their distress they cried out to the Lord, and he delivered them out of their affliction.
(Psalm 107:6)
Psalm 42:1-2
Like a panting deer in search of water, so my whole being seeks you, O God.
I thirst for God, for the God of life.
When will I be able to present myself before God?
(Psalm 42:1-2)
Psalm 77:1
To God I raise my pleading voice; I raise my voice to God to hear me.
(Psalm 77:1)
Psalm 130:1-2
To you, Lord, I raise my cry from the depths of the abyss.
Hear, Lord, my voice.
Let your ears be attentive to my pleading voice.
(Psalm 130:1-2)
Psalm 88:1-2
Lord, God of my salvation, day and night I cry in your presence.
May my prayer come before you; deign to listen to my plea.
(Psalm 88:1-2)
42 Bible verses on prayer