Jeremiah 14 ~ Praying God's Word

Please read Jeremiah 14.

Meditate on and memorize this phrase from verse 9.

You are in our midst, O LORD,

 and we are called by Your name;

 do not forsake us!

Sin took its toll on not only the people of Judah but on the land and the animals.  There was severe drought in the land.  The water was gone; the ground was cracked, and the animals abandoned their newborn babies because there was no grass. Drought was part of God’s punishment for sin (Jeremiah 14:1-6). 

Amazingly the prophets prophesied in the midst of the drought that there would not be a famine.  In the name of the LORD, they said everything was going to be fine, that the people would have lasting peace.  God said these prophets were preaching falsehood, futility, and the deception of their own minds.  He promised to pour out their wickedness on them (Jeremiah 14:13-16).

As you read the Word of the LORD in Jeremiah, does the attitude of the people and the false preachers remind you of the days you are living in?  Do you listen to teachers who tell you God just wants you to be happy, prosperous, and blessed?  Do you believe you can do whatever makes you feel good with no regard for what God thinks about your behavior?

Hear and heed the Word of the LORD:

So the LORD said to me, “Do not pray for the welfare of this people. 

When they fast, I am not going to listen to their cry;

 and when they offer burnt offering and grain offering,

I am not going to accept them.

 Rather I am going to make an end of them by the sword, famine, and pestilence.”

—Jeremiah 14:11-12

Do not be deceived!  God hates and punishes sin.  God has not changed His mind about what is sin and what is not sin.  Just because current laws or religious teachings legalize and condone sin, God still punishes those who participate in and give hearty approval to it.  Surround yourself with God’s Word and with people who are not afraid to teach what the LORD says. 

Pray Jeremiah 14:20-22 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“We know our wickedness, O LORD, __________ and I have sinned against You.

Do not despise us for Your name’s sake; do not disgrace the throne of Your glory.

Remember and do not annul Your covenant with us.

We hope in You, O LORD our God.