Liquid Prayer, the Ministry of Tears and Passion in Prayer

"Let us learn to think of tears as liquid prayers; and of weeping as a constant dropping of importunate intercession which will wear its way right surely into the very heart of mercy, despite the stony difficulties which obstruct the way." Charles H. Spurgeon (1834-1892)

"The tears of John, which were his liquid prayers, were so far as he was concerned, the sacred keys by which the sealed book was opened (Rev. 5:4)." Charles H. Spurgeon (1834-1892)

"Tears and brokenness in the victorious war (Psa. 126:5,6) Tears of sorrow, joy, compassion, exertion and repentance are present in spiritual warfare." Dick Eastman

"In Scripture, tears fulfill a unique purpose in spiritual growth. We discover here that when tears are sown, not only is a spiritual harvest collected, but it leaves a spirit of rejoicing in the sower. This passage, along with others in Scripture that relate to a suffering spirit, describes various purposes and roles connected to what can be called "the ministry of tears", a ministry that Charles Spurgeon defined as "liquid prayer". There are tears of pain or suffering (II Kings 20:5); tears of joy (Gen. 33:4); tears of compassion (John 11:35); tears of desperation (Esther 4:1,3); tears of agony or labor (Isaiah 42:14); tears of repentance (Joel 2:12,13). Clearly, passion is necessary in spiritual warfare." Dick Eastman

I am learning to give my soul to Jesus, meaning sometimes I weep in His Presence. Through my tears, I am giving Him my self-centeredness, my hurts, my fears, my crazy unsettled thoughts, and I have found God honors that kind of honesty and passion. It has been during these times that the Holy Spirit has ministered to me in great beauty, pouring out His love, forgiveness, strength, wisdom or peace (depending on what I need at the time).

However, the bulk of my tears have not been about me, but have been an expression of intercession. I really didn't quite understand what to do with my tears a few years ago, when I dove head first into my intercessory call.

Cold, lifeless prayers for others' healings, revival for our region, and the bondages and sins of others, suddenly became hot and passion-filled prayers that drove me to tears....literally. To be honest, if it were not for the Holy Spirit's Presence in these episodes, I would have thought I was losing it.

Charles Spurgeon's reference to tears as "liquid prayer," is setting me free in this area. The modern Christian church at large has lost some of this kind of passion. We, at least in America, have become like the church at Laodicea...neither cold nor hot, but Jesus is telling us our faults because He tenderly and dearly loves us, and He desires us to repent. He wants zealous kids, full of holy love and passion, ones who enthusiastically dive into what He had called us to do for Him.

King David was a man after God's own heart. Read David's Psalms and you will see, he was not restricted in giving his whole being to the Lord, including his soul. He was not a perfect man, in that, he made mistakes; he was, however, perfect in taking those mistakes to the Lord and asking Him to intervene.

It is at the feet of Jesus that our tears become worship. Lord, let us be a people after your own heart. Let us not be intimidated by the "Pharisees" who only know You as a mental assent. Let us worship you in spirit and in truth, with ALL of our heart and ALL of soul and ALL of our strength!!!! In Jesus' name and only for His glory!!!! AMEN!!!