Prayer - זָעַק - za`aq

זָעַק - za`aq
There are many things in life we cannot do alone. We all need help in times of desperation, or when things get too big to handle. The word za`aq means to call to one’s aid. Za`aq can be a call to assembly, a call to join together, a shriek; a call out to someone or a proclamation.
Ancient Israel was a nation constantly under attack from outside forces. The people suffered in bondage under foreign invaders. Under domination, the people cried out for help. The first time we hear the Hebrew people cry out is when they are in bondage to the Egyptians in Exodus 2:23. The Hebrew people also cry out in Judges 3:9 to God who raised up Othniel; in Judges 3:15 God raised up Ehud; In Judges 6:6-7 God raised up Gideon; In Judges 10 God raised up Jephthah. In 1 Samuel 5:10, the people of Israel call upon the Ark of God.
Herein is a problem. We as people look to our own strength, or to our own inventions to save us in times of distress. We seek to figure things out ourselves rather than trusting God. The Bible tells us to Love the LORD our God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our strength. The Lord’s help begins out of a Love relationship. In our relationship we “pray without ceasing;” we trust the Lord in everything; we let the Lord be our Shepherd and guide us. All of this comes first, and out of lifestyle. Then when help is needed, we are trained to cry out to God first.
All too often, people do not look to God. People cry out to others for help. Barak cried to Zebulun (Judges 4:10); Sisera cried to his chariots (Judges 4:13). The question comes, when you are in trouble, who do you cry out to? One of the natural things in life is to ask help of those we know, those we think can help us. At the beginning of life we call out to our mothers and fathers to give assistance, whether food, or protection, or whatever. But there are situations where people can not help.
When others can not help, people look to other things to help. In the Old Testament, some people cried out to idols (Isa. 57:13; Jer 11:12; Hos 7::14; Jonah 1:5). Today, when in desperation, man cries out to his idols: money; government; medicine; and many other things. But we need to realize ultimately our trust should be in the Lord. In desperation, we need to cry to God First and foremost.
David teaches us the lessons of prayer in Ps 142. King David cries to the Lord, and to the Lord alone. No matter who or what is the problem, David takes it to the Lord in prayer. There were many other places King David could have taken his requests (after all he was the king); however Only God knows the King’s path – past and future. The Lord has cared and will care for David’s soul. The Lord is David’s refuge. The Lord is David’s portion in the land of the Living. David’s choice was to cry to the Lord first, and not last. When we cry to the Lord – the Lord delivers us out of our distress (Ps 107:19).