Judah was suffering from a severe drought that was the consequence of their sins. Jeremiah prayed, confessing that his people had often rebelled, but he asked the Lord not to forsake the people who bore his name (9). Some so-called prophets were proclaiming that Judah would not suffer, but they were prophesying falsely. They were just saying what people wanted to hear (14).

The Lord told Jeremiah not to pray for the people because he had decided to punish them (11-12). But this was really just a test of Jeremiah's heart. Jeremiah was determined to keep praying for his people with tears, night and day without ceasing, if by any means they could be spiritually healed (17). Sometimes, God's people need a "weeping prophet", as Jeremiah is called. When we see the evil and suffering in our times, we can be tempted to give up on the people of the world. But God is the source of undying hope. We should pray to God for the world no matter what, even if his judgment seems inescapable.


Application: Father, I confess that we are a sinful people who wander from you so much. But I believe you put me here to be an intercessor. May the tearful prayers of your saints work for good in the world.
One Word: Pray for the sinful world with tears