A Cry for Help Prayer
By: Kristine Brown
God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”- Hebrews 13:5b
There are seasons in our lives when suffering seems like it will never end. When we finish each day by laying our head down in exhaustion, hoping to see a reprieve with the coming of a new dawn. These prolonged trials in our lives can cause hopes to fade. Without getting an answer for our troubles, we can be tempted to give up hope that things will ever change.
The Israelites knew this feeling all too well. For years they suffered in cruel slavery under the hands of tyrant leaders. But in their darkest days, they did something different. Instead of continuing on the same path of hopelessness, they made a decision to cry to God for help.
“During that long period, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God.” (Exodus 2:23 NIV)
In this dark time in Israel’s history, God had already set a plan for rescue in motion. God prepared a man named Moses, orchestrating the events of his life to answer the call. God chose Moses to lead His people out of slavery; and when voices of desperation rose from the Israelites, Moses was ready to respond.
The Matthew Henry Commentary shares this insight about the Israelites’ turning point, “Now, at last, they began to think of God under their troubles and to return to him from the idols they had served...But before God unbound them he put it into their hearts to cry unto him.”
The thing that ushered in the beginning of deliverance for God’s chosen people was their choice to cry for help.
Exodus 2:25 says, “So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them.” When we cry out to our Heavenly Father for help, we have the assurance of His concern for our needs.
God sent Moses to guide the Israelites to freedom. Just as He heard and responded to their cry for help, our Lord will also hear us in our most desperate times. He is waiting for us to cry out to Him today. Let’s pray this cry for help prayer together.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I come to you today in desperate need. I’ve been suffering, and I don’t know what to do. I don’t even know what to say, but I know you are my only hope. This is my cry for help. Hear my cries, Lord.
I’ve felt far away from you, although I know your Word says you will “never leave me or forsake me.” (Hebrews 13:5) I invited your son Jesus to live in my heart, but I’ve let the sufferings of this world discourage me. I want to feel your presence with me. To trust in you to provide the answer to my problems and the antidote to my hurt. Lord, please help!
When the Israelites cried out to you, you sent a messenger of hope. You freed them from the slavery that kept them bound for so long. In the same way, I am trusting in you to rescue me from my troubles. I renew my trust in you as you guide the pathways of my life. Thank you, Lord, for hearing my cry for help and for being concerned about me.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
For more spiritual growth resources, check out this free email study from Kristine, Walking with Hagar: A 5-Day Challenge for Following God’s Plan. You’ll find weekly encouragement to help you “become more than yourself through God’s Word” at her website, kristinebrown.net. Kristine Brown is the author of the book, Over It. Conquering Comparison to Live Out God’s Plan, and the companion devotional for teens.
