By Pastor David Holland
As the Palm Sunday “Hallelujahs” and “Hosannas” rang, the King halted His march toward the Holy City and dismounted His donkey. Then, He wept. The new life of Easter is born out of the womb of weeping.
Across the ages and through the muddled history of humanity, Christ’s cry still rings in heaven. But I ask you, “Who are you willing to weep for?”
You will grow as you learn to pray for others. It is a prayer that transcends denominations and division—God reigns above all that. Prayer petitions the Lord and touches His majesty. Surely, God will tear open the heavens and come to our aid speedily.
Many years ago, in my home church, I felt moved to slip quietly to the altar to pray at the end of the worship service. The church organist played softly. Many of us responded at the conclusion of the sermon, and we came forward to kneel at the front of the church sanctuary. I was all of 18 years and it was a holy moment.
As I prayed, I heard someone else praying loudly and it was rather annoying. Some lady near me was crying–I hate it when women cry–and it made me uncomfortable. But as I tried to focus on God, she wailed louder. I wanted to say, “Hey lady, can you be quiet? I’m trying to pray here.” As I turned to see who was making all the noise, I realized that the old woman was behind me, and she was weeping for me.
I was stunned; no one had ever cried for me.
That woman altered my life, because she cared enough to pray passionately. While I still pray quietly, that woman’s example challenges me to pray with passionate purpose. At some point, life has got to stop being about me. I want to be like that woman and Jesus who pray for others.
Why was it so important for Christ to stop His triumphal entry into Jerusalem and cry for the city? He said people were missing their time of visitation and “it was now hidden from their eyes.” People who pray see God’s path forward to victory–people who don’t pray languish in darkness.
President Abraham Lincoln knew the power of prayer. Before the battle of Gettysburg he recounts, “I went to my room one day and I locked the door and got down on my knees before Almighty God and prayed to him mightily for victory at Gettysburg.” Victory came, and Gettysburg was the turning point in the Civil War.
Today, the need for prayer is great. Our nation is at war with a diabolical enemy. There is an epidemic of broken homes, sexual immorality and social strife. As the heroes of our nation did in the past, we must again bow our heads in prayer.
The Old Testament prophet urges us, “While Ezra prayed and made this confession, weeping and throwing himself to the ground in front of the Temple of God, a large crowd of people from Israel — men, women, and children — gathered and wept bitterly with him.” Ezra 10:1.
Who will weep for the children from broken homes? Who will weep for those suffering from lack? Who will weep for those caught in addictive lifestyles? Who will weep for America? Who will weep for the young people in church like that elderly woman did for me? Jesus wept and so should we. Jesus paved the road to resurrection with His tears. Who will cry out to God today?
Start your new year in the Word of God with Dave Holland and his daily devotional, “Every Day Jesus.” He recently released this devotional-Bible study based on the Gospel of Luke. You can get a copy of this book from his website, DaveHolland.org, or at Amazon.com. Pastor Dave is available to preach and teach at churches and conferences.
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