Cry Out to the Lord

And they were helped against them, and the Hagrites were delivered into their hand, and all who were with them, for they cried out to God in the battle. He heeded their prayer, because they put their trust in Him. 1 Chronicles 5:20 (NKJV)

The sons of Reuben, the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh were at war with the Hagrites to secure their home. They were living amongst the Hagrites, who went to war with them to drive them out. The three tribes needed a victory to keep their homes, so they cried out to the Lord and trusted wholly in Him and were granted victory and a whole lot of spoil. The land remained in their possession until they forgot what the Lord did for them, started worshiping other gods and were taken into captivity by Tiglath-Pileser, king of Assyria.

What does it mean to cry out to the Lord? Psalm 61:1-2 says, “Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” When we cry out to the Lord, we express a deep, earnest plea for divine intervention, guidance, or deliverance. We show a posture of humility and trust, acknowledging that our strength is not enough and that God alone has the power to help. Jesus says in Matthew 16:18, “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this Rock, I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” We go to the Rock, who is Jesus and is greater than any hell that may come against us.

Choose to make your prayer life purposeful. Don't pray superficial prayers that are routine, just because you were taught to. Pray intentionally, with reverence for the Lord, giving all your attention to Him. Prayer is worshiping the Lord, thanking Him for what He has done, confessing that you are weak, trusting Him, and submitting to His will. When you cry out to the Lord, you are praying from your heart and soul, giving Him the control over your life, and the trust that He will provide. "Lord, take the reins for me."