The book of Lamentations has been heavy on my heart lately even before the death of George Floyd and the protests that followed. I was at a point in my life for a good lamenting but recent injustices brought other urgent important matters to lament about.
James 5:16 – The fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
I think Lamentations 2 shows the picture of what the fervent prayer in James 5:16 looks like when you are in the midst of complete hopelessness. The book was written by the prophet Jeremiah in the midst of Babylon laid siege to Jerusalem. Times were despite, lawlessness was on the rise as parents were resorting to eating their children. The citizens knew the time of their destruction was nearing. So of course everyone felt hopeless. But in verses 18 & 19 Jeremiah calls the people to act with dependence on God.
18: Their heart cried to the Lord. O wall of the daughter of Zion, let tears stream down like a torrent day and night! Give yourself no rest, your eyes no respite!
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19: Arise, cry out in the night, at the beginning of the night watches! Pour out your heart like water before the presence of the Lord! Lift your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint for hunger at the head of every street.
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This is not a call to be action-less. As Christians, we need to develop this type of prayer in our life. To intercede for others with passion, love, and desperation.
PRAYER WORKS
You can’t convince me of otherwise.
Again peacefully protest, give support, speak out, contact your representatives, etc. This is not an attack on that because even the Bible speaks to being the hands and feet of Christ. So we must have actions that back our words and belief. But as Christians, we must pray. We must weep. We must repent and consecrate ourselves on behalf of our country.
Jeremiah had the clear expectation that if Jerusalem cried out to the Lord then the threat of Babylon would be overcome. Do we have that same expectation? Do we believe that our God can intervene?
I pray that expectation rise in my own life and that type of zeal in prayer increase as well. Will you join me?
You can read all of Lamentations 2 here.
J.E.Rowland 