Prayers and Sighs to God
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Originally written by Charles H. Spurgeon, published in “Mornings & Evenings,” entry for November 3rd, AM.
Updated to modern English by Darren Hewer, 2009.
“Behold, he prayeth.” Acts 9:11 (KJV)
Prayers are instantly noticed in heaven. The moment Saul began to pray the Lord heard him. Here is comfort for anywho who is distressed, but still praying. Often a poor broken-hearted person bends their knee, but can only utter their cries in the language of sighs and tears. Yet these groans are heard like harps in heaven. Those tears are caught by God and treasured in heaven.
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“Thou puttest my tears into thy bottle” (Psalm 56:8, KJV) implies that they are caught as they flow. Anyone whose fears prevent them from forming the right words will still be understood by the Most High. He or she may only look up with misty eyes, but “prayer is the falling of a tear.” (Oswald Chambers) Tears are the diamonds of heaven, and sighs too are a part of the music of Jehovah’s court.
Don’t think that your prayer, however weak or trembling, will be unheard. Jacob’s ladder is lofty, but our prayers lean on the Angel of the covenant and so climb to the Most High. Our God not only hears prayer but also loves to hear it. “He does not ignore the cry of the afflicted.” (Psalm 9:12)
God doesn’t highly regard lofty words, nor does He care for the pomp and pageantry of kings. He will not listen to the swell of warlike drumming, and He will disregard the triumph and pride of humankind. But wherever there is a heart heavy with sorrow, or a lip quivering with agony, or a deep groan, or a repentant sigh, the heart of Jehovah is open. He marks it down in the registry of His memory. He puts our prayers, like rose leaves, between the pages of His book of remembrance, and when the volume is opened at last, a precious fragrance will spring forth.
“Faith asks no signal from the skies,
To show that prayers accepted rise,
Our Priest is in His holy place,
And answers from the throne of grace.” (Josiah Conder)
Question: What prayers and sighs do you need to lift up to God today? (Contact us if you’d like us to pray with you.)
About this Author: Charles Spurgeon
