Needing Prayer!

"I don't have time to read the manual for this new machinery. You read the instructions while I go try it out." "Forget the map. Let's just see if this road will get us there." "You study for my test while I go out and party."

How would any of that work for us? Does it sound irrational? Does it sound ridiculous? Does it makes sense to approach these life activities or any other in such a manner?

As Jeremiah had been warning of the coming Babylonian captivity, we read. . .
"Zedekiah the son of Josiah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon made king in the land of Judah, reigned instead of Coniah the son of Jehoiakim. (2) But NEITHER HE NOR HIS SERVANTS NOR THE PEOPLE OF THE LAND LISTENED TO THE WORDS OF THE LORD that he spoke through Jeremiah the prophet. (3) King Zedekiah sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah, and Zephaniah the priest, the son of Maaseiah, to Jeremiah the prophet, saying, 'PLEASE PRAY FOR US to the LORD our God.'" ( Jeremiah 37:1-3 ESV)

I find that amazing! Though there was an UNWILLINGNESS TO LISTEN to the message of God, they ASKED FOR PRAYER on their behalf. Does that seem to imply an attitude similar to "Please pray for me while I go live my life the way I want to."? King Zedekiah had refused to pay a bit of attention to the warnings from the God to Whom he asked Jeremiah to pray. To say prayer was needed would be an understatement! However, the prayer needed to be for a more receptive heart, repentance, and a willingness to listen to the Word of God.

Why ask for prayer if we will not listen? Why ask for prayer if we will not accept God's guidance? Why ask for prayer if His Will and wisdom are going to be ignored? Why ask "PLEASE PRAY" if there is no desire to PLEASE GOD?

Praise God He is able to take care of messes we create for ourselves. However, continuing to do our own thing and expecting Him to fix it all is a testing of His patience and a demonstration we have no appreciation for the blessings He has provided. To acknowledge God as an answerer of prayer is to acknowledge Him as the One with the answers for life. May we develop a greater desire to surrender to His Will and accept the wisdom from His manual for living (the Bible), diligently seek to follow the course He has mapped out, and accept His tutoring in preparation of His final examination that will lead us into His glorious eternity.

Have a great day PLEASED TO PRAY TO THE ONE WE SEEK TO PLEASE!
Carl

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