5 Reasons Why You Cry During Prayer

The reason why a person cries during prayer varies from person to person. The reason might be from sadness over wrongdoing (sin), a deep sense of joy, or grief. The other reason a person might cry during prayer is the overwhelming presence of God.

No matter the reason you cry during prayer, my friend, be comforted in knowing that your tears are counted and seen by an awesome and loving God in Heaven.

Conviction of Sin and Repentance

When a person comes before the Almighty God and recognizes our sinfulness, the Holy Spirit swoops in and convicts us, leading us to sorrow and to repentance.

For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.

2 Corinthians 7:10

These tears we shed during these intense moments reflect a hear that truly longs for righteousness and is seeking after God and His mercy.

It can feel awkward, especially at first when we cry during prayer, but when it comes through the conviction of the Holy Spirit, we have reason to praise God and thank Him for His leading in our lives.

When we cry during prayer because of conviction, we come to Him humbly with our faces to the dust like the Psalm in Psalm 119 who says, ‘his soul clings to the dust.’ (Psalm 119:25).

Overwhelming Gratitude for God’s Overwhelming Grace

Sometimes when we cry during prayer, it’s because we are truly overwhelmed by God’s grace in our life.

Oftentimes we will have all the blessings in our lives flash through our mind, humbling our hearts, and bringing us to our knees both physically and spiritually.

This overwhelming sense of thankfulness and gratitude brings the tears full-force.

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23

When we cry during prayer with a humbled heart, fully surrendered to Him, we can’t help but be overwhelmed emotionally at just how good our God is to us.

Be encouraged my friend when you find yourself in this state because it’s in these moments that God’s grace shines upon us so brightly. It’s in these moments we can reflect over our lives and still raise our hearts and hands in thankfulness, praising Him for how good He truly is despite the circumstances.

Deep Suffering and Seeking Comfort

In times of great suffering, loss and/or despair, our hearts cry out to God and often cry during prayer. It’s in these delicate moments where we find ourselves most fragile as we seek our God for comfort and joy in the midst of life’s greatest heartaches.

For the Christian, we can find ourselves at these crucial times experiencing the Beautiful Secrets (link provided goes to a novel about people dealing with grief) of God.

We are able to experience joy and comfort in these times as we move closer to God. For when we move closer to God, He moves closer to us and He is always near the brokenhearted.

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit

Psalm 34:18

If you cry during prayer because of a great loss in your life, be encouraged by the fact that God sees your heart and He desires to bring you comfort. All you must do is come to Him.

Pray and seek Him diligently.

He will give you rest, He will give you joy, He will give you comfort.

Interceding for Others with a Burdened Heart

If you cry during prayer as you speak on behalf of another human being, know that you are in good company.

For instance our friend and Apostle Paul speaks of a heavy heart for his fellow brothers in the faith.

I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.

Romans 9:2-3

These tears you shed as you intercede on the behalf of others and feel weighed down are a testimony of your Christ-like love for others in the world.

Be encouraged my fellow brother or sister in Christ, for these times of deep anguish for others is Christ working in and through you.

Experiencing God’s Presence in Worship

When we experience the awesome and powerful presence of God Almighty while in prayer, we can be moved to tears quite easy.

A brush against the soul, a thought or answer to prayer that aligns with Scripture, or whatever the case might be. These are all wonderful and can bring the emotions of our heart to a swelling point we cannot resist nor want to resist, forcing us to cry during prayer.

Encountering God in prayer, our soul’s brushing the fringe of his garment, is an overwhelming experience for a Christian.

Some people never experience it, never truly praying in the Spirit and in truth, but the Lord promises to meet us when we seek Him fully and wholly.

 O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water.

Psalm 63:1