Confessing with Jeremiah

Living in troubled times, the Prophet Jeremiah drew close enough to hear God’s word, and we can do this too! As Lent reminds us, we prepare for Easter by confessing and turning away (repenting) from whatever obstacles stand between us and the Lord.

May God Himself put on our minds and hearts any fear, anger, bigotry, violence, idolatry, complacency, or other sin we need to release into His forgiveness. Freed of these dark stains, we’re ready to receive the light and living water of Jesus Christ.

 

Jeremiah 14:20-22 – a prayer of Jeremiah
from the King James Version of the Bible

We acknowledge, O Lord, our wickedness,
and the iniquity of our fathers:
for we have sinned against thee.

Do not abhor us, for thy name's sake,
do not disgrace the throne of thy glory:
remember, break not thy covenant with us.

Are there any among the vanities
of the Gentiles that can cause rain?
or can the heavens give showers?
art not thou he, O Lord our God?

therefore we will wait upon thee:
for thou hast made all these things.

From the Book of KJV Prayers - actual prayers from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV) collected by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019 

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Jeremiah 14:20-22 – a prayer of Jeremiah
paraphrased into contemporary English

We confess!

We’ve acted badly, Lord,
and so have our ancestors.

Our whole family has sinned against You,
and yet, surely
Your character will not allow You
to abandon us, Lord,
nor disgrace Your glorious throne.

Please remember Your promises to us
for we rely on You.

What worthless foreign god could
send us rain?

The sky needs You
to do such things, O Lord our God.
And so
we wait for You to help.

From the Book of Bible Prayers – actual prayers of the Bible collected from a variety of translations researched on Bible Gateway then paraphrased into everyday English by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019

 

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Bible prayer for God’s healing

As 2020 comes to an end, let’s pray for our nation(s) to return to the Lord God. Let’s seek God’s healing and salvation for ourselves and all peoples. Let's faithfully praise the Lord throughout the New Year.

Jeremiah 17:13-14 – a prayer of Jeremiah

from the King James Version of the Bible

 

O Lord, the hope of Israel,

all that forsake thee shall be ashamed,

and they that depart from me

shall be written in the earth,

because they have forsaken the Lord,

the fountain of living waters.

 

 Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed;

save me, and I shall be saved:

for thou art my praise.

 

From the Book of KJV Prayers - actual prayers from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV) collected by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019 

 

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Jeremiah 17:13-14 – a prayer of Jeremiah

in everyday English

 

Lord God and hope of Your people,

whoever abandons You will be put to shame!

 

All who turn away from You will find their whole lives

written only in dust,

for they have abandoned You and Your fountain

of living water.

 

Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed. 

Save me, and I will be saved,

for You alone are my praise.

 

From the Book of Bible Prayers – actual prayers of the Bible collected from a variety of translations researched on Bible Gateway then paraphrased by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019

 

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Pray for God to heal

 

The prophet Jeremiah strongly believed the only reliable hope for his country resided in the Lord God. He also had faith in God’s ability to heal him personally.

 

If we, too, have faith in the healing power of God for our country and ourselves, we can offer up our need in prayer and praise to the Lord. We can also agree with Jeremiah and each other as we pray this timeless prayer:

 

Jeremiah 17:13-14 – a prayer of Jeremiah

from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible

 

O Lord, the hope of Israel,

all that forsake thee shall be ashamed,

and they that depart from me

shall be written in the earth,

because they have forsaken the Lord,

the fountain of living waters.

 

 Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed;

save me, and I shall be saved:

for thou art my praise.

 

From the Book of KJV Prayers - actual prayers from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV) collected by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019 

 

 

Jeremiah 17:13-14 – a prayer of Jeremiah

 

Lord God and hope of Your people,

whoever abandons You will be put to shame!

 

All who turn away from You will find their whole lives

written only in dust,

for they have abandoned You and Your fountain

of living water.

 

Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed.

 

Save me, and I will be saved,

for You alone are my praise.

 

 

From the Book of Bible Prayers – actual prayers of the Bible collected from a variety of translations and paraphrased into everyday English by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019

 

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Praying far from home

Background: From Jerusalem the Prophet Jeremiah sent a letter to the exiles in Babylon, giving them the encouraging word of God he had received to guide them during this hard time away from home:

Build houses!
Live in them.
Plant gardens, and enjoy the produce.
Get married.
Have sons and daughters.
Guide your grown children in marriage,
so they may have sons and daughters too.

Plant yourselves, and be productive.
But seek the welfare of the city
where God has sent you.

Pray to the LORD on its behalf
for in its well-being you will find
all goes well with you.

Do not let anyone tell you differently!
Do not let anyone deceive you or entrap you
with false dreams
for God has given you this word:

When your exile has ended,
I, the LORD will visit you
and bring you home as promised.
I, only I, know My plans for your welfare
and not your harm.
I, only I, will give you a future with real hope.

Then you will call on Me. Then you will
come to Me and pray to Me, and I
will hear you.

When you seek Me, you will find Me
if you look for Me
from your heart.

© 2013, Mary Harwell Sayler, prayer-a-phrase of today's Bible reading from Jeremiah 29:5-13

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God prays for us and our prayers

“The Lord invites us:

“Sing with joy for the peoples of Jacob.
Be a cheerleader for your nation!

“Raise your voice with praise and call:
‘The Lord has saved the people of God,
those in Israel.’

“For I will bring back My people from the north
and gather them from everywhere on earth.

“The blind and disabled,
expectant women and those in labor.
A great crowd will return.

“With joyful tears they will come,
and as they pray, I will bring them back.

“I will lead them by quiet streams
and along smooth paths where they will not stumble.

“I will be your Father, O My people, and
Israel will be my oldest child,” Jeremiah 31:7-9.


Question: In what ways do the prayers in the books of the prophets show God’s prayers for us and the Family of God?

Personal Prayer: Dear Lord, we praise and thank You for Your faithfulness as the One True Holy and Perfect Father Who does not give up on His children! Thank You, Father, for bringing us and our nation into Your forgiving arms. Thank You for keeping us safe in Your ongoing love and prayers.

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© 2012, Mary Harwell Sayler, all rights reserved, but pass it on!
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