Why does a Christian mourn?

“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” Matthew‬ ‭5:4‬

The above verse is the second point that Jesus delivered on the Mount. He addressed a large multitude who were curious, eager to listen. 

What does it mean to mourn?

Mourning is an outward expression of an inward grief or burden. It is a feeling of loss or burden phased out over a longer period of time, as the person learns to recuperate. 

Those who are of this world mourn for temporary things. The worldly are only concerned about their own people (family), possessions (land), position (reputation), and power (rights). 

We were once lost. 

When we were in darkness, we were blinded to live only for ourselves. We didn’t know what we did; we did only what we knew. Our knowledge was limited to the world we lived in.

How can mourning be a blessing?

Every believer enters the light because God had mercy. Only those who follow by loving Jesus, having been called into the light, can serve Him. When a believer walks in obedience to God, he or she receives the mind and heart of God. He knows the need of the hour. He mourns, as Jesus mourned. 

He lives purposefully, daily, to fulfill his high calling in Christ. 

What should believers mourn for?

I want to share three reasons for believers to mourn in this life. 

ONE: Pray for the salvation of souls

There are two primary categories of lost souls in my opinion. Those who live like nominal christians and are as lost as those who never knew Jesus.

Everyone is born into religion at first, whether they want to call themselves Christian or otherwise. Whether they want to call themselves atheist or agnostic, every human being believes in something.

“For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭18:11‬ 

Luke 15:6,7 reveals the joy in getting back a lost soul. Heaven rejoices for the ONE more than the NINETY NINE who do not need repentance.

Every believer understands the need to pray for those who are still unsaved. It is the will of God that all come to Salvation - delivered from the present evil world (Galatians 1:4).

TWO: Pray for the children

But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. (Luke 23:28)

Jesus reminds his followers to pray for what’s coming up. We are in the last days, and the lockdown has made technology accessible to 5-11 year olds too. That’s disastrous! It was inevitable. Instant access to technology is making children impatient and belligerent. 

Something the previous generations never expected to encounter. It’s like being in a whole new world. Children do not seem to care about God or even believe in God anymore. Sunday school attendance is dwindling as parents struggle to manage their own kids because of their various responsibilities at work and home. 

We need to pray that parents find courage in their hearts, and time to train up the children in the way of the Lord (Proverbs 22:6). A child left to himself will bring shame to the parents (Proverb 29:15). In Ezra 10:1, we see children gathered to pray along with the rest of Israel for the restoration of Jerusalem. 

The need is urgent, the need is to CRY. Is your heart burdened enough to cry for our believers children?

THREE: Pray for those who are in a Backslidden state

The prodigal son returned only to be heartily accepted by the father. Prior to his acceptance, having lost all that he had, he never expected his father to restore his life. The Heavenly Father who loves us more than any earthly father, is always doting on us. He waits for us to return, but those in backslidden states find it impossible to return. They are stuck in their world of self condemnation and guilt.

Before the church reaches out to them again, they need to be prayed for. Evil spirits binding them must be rebuked in joint prayer and supplication.

The Salvation in Christ has opened us up to a life everlasting. We are no more people who live for our own needs but for others as the Holy Spirit guides us.

Now, we are found.

Those who mourn in this life will be blessed, most importantly, comforted forever in Christ.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (Revelation 21:4)