“Do not pray for this people or offer any plea or petition for them, because I will not listen when they call to me in the time of their distress." (Jer 11:14 NIV)
Here is a hard saying for those of us who desire that no one should be lost. But, let us remember the context for this saying. God, Himself, is speaking to Jeremiah and giving this order. When was the last time you or I heard God tell us that we could or should not pray for someone? Although, there may be individual exceptions to this, the last Word we've heard on this was from Jesus:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven." (Matt 5:43-45)
We do know the mind of God when it comes to individuals. We do not know whose hearts are so hard that they will never be softened. So, brothers and sisters, pray for all people, pray even for your enemy, that it might be well for them and for all people, including yourself. Pray that hearts might be softened toward the LORD and that we might live in peace - reconciled to God and one another.
God's Peace - Pr. J
Here is a hard saying for those of us who desire that no one should be lost. But, let us remember the context for this saying. God, Himself, is speaking to Jeremiah and giving this order. When was the last time you or I heard God tell us that we could or should not pray for someone? Although, there may be individual exceptions to this, the last Word we've heard on this was from Jesus:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven." (Matt 5:43-45)
We do know the mind of God when it comes to individuals. We do not know whose hearts are so hard that they will never be softened. So, brothers and sisters, pray for all people, pray even for your enemy, that it might be well for them and for all people, including yourself. Pray that hearts might be softened toward the LORD and that we might live in peace - reconciled to God and one another.
God's Peace - Pr. J
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