The Lord Will Hear Your Cry for Mercy -- He Will Accept Your Prayer

Psalm 6:9 tells us, “The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer.”


Have you ever grown frustrated with God over situations in your life? Have you gone to Him and poured out those feelings in prayer? If so, you’ll be able to relate to the prophet Habakkuk and his complaint: “How long, O Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save me. Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong?” Hab.1:2-3.

God answered Habakkuk by telling him to be patient and to watch, that He will do amazing things and usher in justice- but only in His timing. Passionate, honest, gut-level prayers have been recorded through out the Bible.

Habakkuk wasn’t the only one to complain. Moses, Gideon, and Elijah all questioned God. Job even cursed the day God made him and said, “I will give free rein to my complaint and speak out in the bitterness of my soul.” Job 10:1. In his anguish, Job accused God of afflicting people for no reason (Job 9:17), overwhelming them with misery (Job 9:18), and not caring about injustice (Job 9:22, 24).

These accusations are not accurate, but we can sometimes feel that way in times of severe suffering or testing. God knows our deepest thoughts and feelings, so it’s futile to think we can hide them from Him. It is better to tell God how we really feel, get it off our chest in prayer, and hopefully clear the way to hear and receive God’s reply or comfort.

Though God does not always change my circumstances the way I want Him to, He can and does change my perspective on those circumstances- enabling me to endure them. Be honest before God in prayer today. While maintaining a holy respect for Him and thanksgiving for His saving grace, pour out the good, the bad and the ugly of your feelings. As Habakkuk, Job and others discovered, God can handle our intense emotions and questions.

He may not explain Himself fully to us- perhaps because we can’t fully understand- but He will flood us with His love when we come humbly and honestly before Him and pour out our heart.