A Prayer Guide corresponding with the today’s Bible Reading Plan: Jeremiah 22/ Theme: Judgment on the wicked kings of Judah /24-BSG-22B, (Jeremiah 22:3)/ Hymn: Now, dear Lord, as we pray, (SDAH 671).

Opening Remarks: Jeremiah 22 is a series of messages to Judah’s kings and princes. These messages from God are the same that He has for the rulers and the ruled in our world today: “Thus says the Lord: “Execute judgment and righteousness, and deliver the plundered out of the hand of the oppressor. Do no wrong and do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, or the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place.” (Jeremiah 22:3, NKJV) Believers must lead by precept and example. This can only be done by allowing the Holy Spirit in the life.

Beloved, as we come to the today’s Prayer Session, we are invited to— live Righteous Lives; Rescue the innocent from the oppressor; help Protect strangers, the fatherless, and widows; and to not shed innocent blood (Jer. 22:3). In short, we must live by precept and example — of “thus says the LORD!” Lets confess our Sins now and enter His gates with thanksgiving!

Values To Build On: Doing what is just and right; [for Leaders: Observing God’s laws (Deut. 17:18–20); Protecting the weak and defenseless (Jer. 7:6; Deut. 10:18–19)]; Hearing the Word of God.

Sins To Avoid/ Confess: Exploitation/ mistreatment of aliens, orphans, widows (Jer. 22:3); Failure or refusal to keep God’s Covenant with us (Jer. 22:9); Idolatry (Jer. 22:9); Failure to “hear [and obey] the word of the LORD!” (Jer. 22:29).

Something To Thank God For: [a] God’s attitude to oppression; [b] God’s covenant with David; [c] God’s warning of impending judgment beforehand; [d] Vulnerable groups of society (aliens, orphans, widows, etc.) are the objects of His special care — “You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child. If you afflict them in any way, and they cry at all to Me, I will surely hear their cry; and My wrath will become hot, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.” (Exodus 22:22–24, NKJV)

People To Pray For: The less fortunate among us — aliens, orphans, widows, the poor; Pray for leaders/ government officials to “execute judgment and righteousness;” (Jer. 22:3); Pray for all men to return to the LORD and seek His face.

Issues To Pray For: Abuse of authority; Alienation from God; living by God’s standards; upholding both personal/ social ethics; Protection against enemies; Righteousness of believers.

Today’s Promise: “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all. He guards all his bones; Not one of them is broken.” (Psalm 34:18–20, NKJV)

 Together in Prayer: Carefully find the content of your prayers in Jeremiah 22. Consider the following aspects of prayer — Adoration: Praise God for who He is and what He is like. Confession: Acknowledge and Turn [repent] from your sinfulness (see ‘Sins to Avoid/ Confess’ above). Thanksgiving: Be grateful to God for His character, His works, His gifts, and His daily blessings. Supplication: Ask God to help you meet your spiritual and physical needs. Consecration: Commit yourself to obeying God’s will. Intercession: Ask God to meet the needs of others.

Action Step: Follow this simple “Praying The Scripture” method and offer your prayers before God. Open your Bible in Jeremiah 22: as you read it, pause at every verse and turn it into a prayer! If you have a Prayer Request(s), kindly write it below and someone will pray for it. Note: See Section (24-BSG-22Z) below for a Closing Prayer. God Bless You!

WORSHIP THROUGH SINGING.

Call to Prayer: “Now, dear Lord, as we pray” (SDAH 671).

Now, dear Lord, as we pray;
take our hearts and minds far away;
From the press of the world all around;
To your throne where grace does abound.
May our lives be transformed by Your love;
May our souls be refreshed from above.
At this moment, let people everywhere
join us now as we come to You in prayer.

Prayer: Father, we thank You for Your word in Jeremiah 22. We thank You for Your love, mercy, kindness, holiness. We thank You for the fact that You are moved with infirmities, sorrow, pain. We thank You for your concern to the less fortunate among us (aliens, orphans, widows, etc.) –for You desire that they be taken care of and be treated right.

We thank You for Your holiness: “You love righteousness, and hates sin” (Heb. 1:9; Ps. 45:7). Father, we have fallen short of Your requirements, and for this we are very sorry. We acknowledge our sins today: we have broken Your covenant, Your Law. We have not paid attention to Your Word. Many of us have read the Word, but time and again, have failed to live according to the Word. Forgives LORD we plead.

We thank You for the daily blessings, the gift of life, especially during this pandemic, where many lives have been lost, many in ICU’s, many are devastated—not knowing what/ where to go for help.

Help us to seek Your face, to watch and pray more, because surely all signs around us point to the nearness of Your coming. Teach us obeying Your will, Your commands, Your Law. Forgive us LORD, Sanctify us, and seal us for Thy kingdom. May these messages of judgment in Jeremiah be a blessing to us all as we wait for Your Second Coming. We thank You Lord, and ask these things, believing and trusting in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.