A Prayer Guide corresponding with the today’s Bible Reading Plan: Jeremiah 1/ Theme: God’s Assurance to Jeremiah /24-BSG-1B, (Jeremiah 1:17-19)/ Hymn: “Anywhere with Jesus I can Safely Go!” [Author: Jessie Brown Pounds (1887)]

Jeremiah 1:17–19 (NKJV) — 17 “Therefore prepare yourself and arise, And speak to them all that I command you. Do not be dismayed before their faces, Lest I dismay you before them. 18 For behold, I have made you this day A fortified city and an iron pillar, And bronze walls against the whole land— Against the kings of Judah, Against its princes, Against its priests, And against the people of the land. 19 They will fight against you, But they shall not prevail against you. For I am with you,” says the Lord, “to deliver you.”

Opening Remarks: Beloved, as we come to the today’s Prayer Session, we are invited to— meditate upon the life of the prophet Jeremiah. First, He was called of God. Likewise each one of us have been called and sanctified by God and given a special task: the Great Commission (Mt 28:19-20). Second, Jeremiah was despised, hated, persecuted (imprisoned), and rejected of men; but God had promised to be with him even in the midst of trials (Jer. 1: 7-8, 17-19).

Beloved, in these last days, each one of us has been called to warn the World of the upcoming Judgment (Rev. 14:6-12; 16; 18-19). We must stand before the nations as witnesses of Jehovah God. We must stand for Truth and Righteousness. In these times of unparalleled apostasy, we must exemplify in Life and Character the worship of the only true God! We must speak plainly against sin and the need for all humanity to repent, uphold God’s Commandments and get ready for the Second Coming! It wont be easy. This task will faced opposition from every quarter, but we must not waver, we must not frighten, because we are saving a Living God. Listen to this promise — “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.” (Isaiah 43:2, NKJV). He who has called us, will direct, protect, and provide for us! Ours is to trust Him, He will do the rest. “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6, ESV) Are you courageous enough to believe the promises?

Values To Build On: Obedience, Courage, Faith, Trusting the LORD.

Sins To Avoid/ Confess: Fear, hesitation, excuses not to do God’s work; Doubting God; Forsaking God; Idolatry; Not heeding God’s command to ‘Go’ (Jer. 1:17).

Notice the Seven Excuses usually offered for the Neglect of Duty:

• Personal incompetency [Moses, Ex 3:11; 4:1, 10];
• Excuses for sin [Rom 2:1; Jn 15:22; Rom 1:20];
• Pressure of the Cares of this Life [Lk 14:16-20];
• Hardness of masters, supervisors, employers [Mt 25:24-25];
• Claim not see, identify, or discover needs [Mt 25:44-45];
• Laziness/ Difficulties of the undertaking [Prov. 22:13];
• Personal weakness [Jeremiah, 1:6];
• Lack of social position [Gideon, Judges 6:15].

Something To Thank God For: [1] God is a faithful Judge; His is the LORD; He is All-knowing; God’s knowledge of humanity (Psa. 139); Foreknowledge of God (Jer. 1:4-5). [2] Protection from physical dangers, enemies [3]

People To Pray For: Those working in the Lord’s vineyard —(Pastors, Missionaries, Preachers, Evangelists, etc.)—to trust the Lord and do His work without Fear.

Issues To Pray For: Sanctification; Spiritual equipping to do God’s work; Boldness to do God’s work in the face of oppositions; Responding to God’s call: Obedience to His Word, Commands, Law; Willingness to live or die according to His will; Walking in His ways

Today’s Promise: “But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.” (Isaiah 43:1–2, NKJV)

Action Step: Take a moment to pray for Sins identified/ and Issues listed above. If you have a Prayer Request(s), kindly write it below and someone will pray for it. God Bless You!

Prayer: Father, we thank You for Your word in Jeremiah 1. We thank You for the best plan You have for each one of us. For Your knowledge: You knew us in ages past, before we were born, even before the foundation of this World. We thank You for creating us, saving us, and calling us with “a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to Your own purposes and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus, before time began” (2 Tim 1:9).

Many times we are like Jeremiah. We come up with excuses not to do Your work. Our problem is sin and unbelief. Sin deprive us of the confidence we must have to approach Thy throne of Grace (Heb. 4:16). So, help us to act like Christians: to hate Sin and love Righteousness. To stand bold and courageous, claiming Your promises, and do the work You have given to us faithfully. Help us to “gird up our loins [in preparation]! Get up and tell the World all which You have command us (Jer. 1:17).

As we begin this Book, may we see Christ in each chapter presented. May we pay a very close attention to the Divine Instructions given here. May Thy Spirit teach us the rich lessons contained in every page of this Book. Forgive our unbelief, doubts, fear, hesitation, excuses not to do Your work. Remind each one of us that – “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few” (Mt 9:37); and that “Now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.” (Rom. 13:11). We thank You Father, and ask these things, believing and trusting in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.