Let us pray – Part 20

“Arise, cry out in the night, at the beginning of the watches; pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord. Lift your hands toward Him for the life of your young children, who faint from hunger at the head of every street.” (Lam 2:19)
LAM 2:18 “let tears run down.” Jeremiah calls the people to prayer, weeping and repentance, with the hope that God would hear the intercessory cry of the remnant (cf. v.19)

Lam 2:19 Chapter1 describes Jerusalem’s desolation and calls for God’s revenge on her enemies. Chapter 2 includes a call for God’s people to pour out their hearts in the Lord’s presence. The people must turn from their sins; they must sincerely mourn over their wrongs against God (3:40-42). The people had much to cry about. Because of their stubborn rebellion against God, they had brought great suffering to all, especially to the innocent. Was this suffering God’s fault? No, it was the fault of the wayward people. Sinful people brought destruction on themselves, but tragically, sin’s consequences affected everyone – good and evil alike.

2:19 The people’s suffering and sin should have brought them to the Lord, weeping for forgiveness. Only when sin breaks our hearts can God come to our rescue. Just feeling sorry about experiencing sin’s consequences does not bring forgiveness. But if we cry out to God, he will forgive us. See Mat 5:4

“My eyes fail with tears, my heart is troubled; my bile is poured on the ground because of the destruction of the daughter of my people, because the children and the infants faint in the streets of the city.” (Lam 2:11)

“Mine eyes do fail with tears.” Jeremiah weeps because of the tragic sorrow and suffering brought about by the people’s rejection of their God. Jesus Christ Himself wept for the people of Israel who would soon suffer terrible judgment for rejecting God’s salvation (Luke 19:41-44), and the Apostle Paul expressed deep sorrow and ceaseless concern over fellow Jews who did not accept Christ (Rom 9:1-3; 10:1). We who have experienced redemption and life in Christ should be heartbroken over the terrible suffering of people enslaved to sin and Satan. We should be grieved because of the moral breakdown in society, knowing the tragic pain and suffering that will result.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Mat 5:4)
“For godly sorrow produces repentance leading tosalvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death” (2 Cor 7:10)

There Is A Place For Spontaneous Prayer
A sure sign that a Christian is growing is when he or she can put into their own words what they feel about God and what they require from Him. There is no growth in prayer (which is conversation with God), unless there is free expression in prayer.
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