This morning’s sermon looked at the topic of everyday prayer by examining Jeremiah’s prayer in Jer 15:15-21. Prayer is something that we need to do on a daily basis if we are to grow spiritually, but so often, we procrastinate, feeling we don’t have the time or space to devote to prayer and also sometimes feeling that our prayers are not answered or we are not sure how to pray. Jesus clearly demonstrates the importance of prayer to us by His own prayer life (Mark 1:35, Luke 6:12, Luke 9:16, Mark 9:51). He gave the disciples a template for prayer (Matt 6:9-15) and reminded them of the need for perseverance and persistence in prayer (Luke 18:1). Sometimes, however, we feel we can daunted rather than encouraged by this example!
The best way to learn to pray is by actually praying. Each one of us will pray differently, for we are all individuals and prayer is about an ongoing relationship with God. Jeremiah’s prayers can teach us many things. Firstly, he prays directly to God: ‘Lord, You understand.’ (Jer 15:15) Eugene Peterson says ‘Prayer is the act in which we approach God as living person, a thou to whom we speak, not an it that we talk about.’ (‘Run With the Horses’ P 95) It can be easier to talk about God or to talk about prayer than to actually pray. Jeremiah is in a difficult situation, facing many enemies and feeling discouraged and lonely. He talks to God with brutal honesty, telling him how he feels. When we pray, our disappointments and hurt are laid bare before God: even our disappointment at times with Him. (‘You are to me like a deceptive brook, like a spring that fails.’ (Jer 15:18)) Jeremiah understands that not only do we all go through these difficult times in life, we can pray to God directly about these things when we are going through those difficult times. ‘Everything he experienced and thought he set in a relationship with a living, knowing, saving God.’ (Eugene Peterson, ‘Run With the Horses’ P 101)
Jeremiah’s prayer shows us that prayer is a conversation, a dialogue not a monologue, for God answers him. Initially, the answers are not what Jeremiah wants to hear: God calls him to repent and to re-establish priorities. Having given us the total freedom to say whatever we like – which we may do tentatively, fearfully, boldly, angrily or in confusion, depending on our circumstances and our personalities – God is free to say whatever He likes in return and prayer is the place where priorities are re-established. Jeremiah is reminded of the need to speak worthy, not worthless, words and to influence people for good, rather than being overwhelmed by evil. (see Rom 12:21) We are called to take a stand for God and to be prepared to stand out from the crowd, to be salt and light in the world, to let our light shine before others, that they may see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven (Matt 5:16), to shine like stars in the universe as we hold firmly to the word of truth. (Phil 2:15-16)
After God’s word of rebuke and His reminder of changed perspective and renewed priorities, He also reminds Jeremiah of the promises He has previously made to him. (Jer 15:20-21) We need constantly to be reminded of the things God has promised us (see Jer 1:18-19, 2 Cor 1:20) and challenged to hold on to these promises, confident that God will do for us what seems impossible in the natural. Everyday prayer involves the need to be engaged in daily conversation with God: conversation where we speak honestly to God and we listen attentively for His replies.