‘We have become old, dry bones—all hope is gone. Our nation is finished.’ 12Therefore, prophesy to them and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: O my people, I will open your graves of exile and cause you to rise again.
Lord God my Father,
Bring me back to life the way you designed it. Remove from me the selfish nature that defiles me. I wish to only do your will.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen
What sorrow awaits you shepherds who feed yourselves instead of your flocks.
They polluted the land with murder and the worship of idols,36:18 The Hebrew term (literally round things) probably alludes to dung; also in 36:25. so I poured out my fury on them. 19I scattered them to many lands to punish them for the evil way they had lived.
“Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. 26And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.
Lord God my Father,
My heart breaks as how you have been treated, Lord, give me strength to overcome my sinful nature and be whole as you designed. Allow me to represent you well to the lost so they may find you and be saved.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen
“Please pray to the Lord your God for us. As you can see, we are only a tiny remnant compared to what we were before. 3Pray that the Lord your God will show us what to do and where to go.”
Whether we like it or not, we will obey the Lord our God to whom we are sending you with our plea. For if we obey him, everything will turn out well for us.”
‘If you are determined to go to Egypt and live there, 16the very war and famine you fear will catch up to you, and you will die there.
And today I have told you exactly what he said, but you will not obey the Lord your God any better now than you have in the past.
“We will not listen to your messages from the Lord! 17We will do whatever we want. We will burn incense and pour out liquid offerings to the Queen of Heaven just as much as we like
Lord God my Father,
Guide me and make me strong under your authority, protect me from deceit and keep me determined in following you alone.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen
So the message of the Lord spoken through Jeremiah was fulfilled. The land finally enjoyed its Sabbath rest, lying desolate until the seventy years were fulfilled, just as the prophet had said.
“The Lord is right,” Jerusalem says, “for I rebelled against him. Listen, people everywhere; look upon my anguish and despair, for my sons and daughters have been taken captive to distant lands.
“Lord, see my anguish! My heart is broken and my soul despairs, for I have rebelled against you. In the streets the sword kills, and at home there is only death.
Lord God my Father,
Help me to learn from the past and live today completely under your authority. My heart breaks for our nation, direct me to your desire and action to repent and turn back to you.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen.
“You were blameless in all you did from the day you were created until the day evil was found in you.16Your rich commerce led you to violence, and you sinned.
But Nebuzaradan allowed some of the poorest people to stay behind in the land of Judah, and he assigned them to care for the vineyards and fields.
Lord God my Father,
Restore me to your original design and away from my choices, allow me to tend to the least of your creation.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen
They will be my people, and I will be their God. 39And I will give them one heart and one purpose: to worship me forever, for their own good and for the good of all their descendants.
Lord God my Father,
Restore my heart to your design, I wish to have the peace in living by your plan over my dysfunction.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen
“And because you have forgotten me and turned your back on me, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: You must bear the consequences of all your lewdness and prostitution.”
“I, the Lord, have spoken! The time has come, and I won’t hold back. I will not change my mind, and I will have no pity on you. You will be judged on the basis of all your wicked actions, says the Sovereign Lord.”
Lord God my Father,
Forgive us for our turning from you, Open our eyes to see without our opinions but seeking your Truth.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen
“Son of man, cry out and wail; pound your thighs in anguish, for that sword will slaughter my people and their leaders—everyone will die! 13 It will put them all to the test. What chance do they have? 21:13 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain. says the Sovereign Lord.
Lord God my Father,
Forgive your people, bring your consequence on us and make us clean. Open the eyes of the good and quiet the lips of deceit. Bring us under your authority, restore us to your design.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen
And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart,
Lord God my father,
Soften my heart and all hearts to your truth and peace. Convict those who follow evil and unite your people.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen
I will discipline you, but with justice; I cannot let you go unpunished.”
I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them and exchange their sorrow for rejoicing.
Lord God my Father,
Discipline me and make me pure under your rule, allow your Joy to be my guide.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen