The Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 4 of 52 (To update)

The Book of Prophet Jeremiah

 Chapter 4

¹ If you return O Israel, says the LORD, if you return to me, if you remove your abomination from my presence and do not waver, ² and if you swear, "As the LORD lives!" in truth, in justice, and in uprightness, then nations shall be blessed by him, and by him they shall boast.

(The Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 4 verses 1 to 2)

Oh God my Father, You are promising us a better life if we only remove sin from our lives and plead forgiveness and a promise of a changed life one that is according to Your way Amen,


³For thus says the LORD to the people of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem: Break up your fallow ground, and do not sow among thorns, ⁴Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, remove the foreskin of your hearts O people of Judah and inhabitants of  Jerusalem, or else my wrath will go forth like fire, and burn with no one to quench it, because of the evil of your doings.


(The Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 4 verses 3 to 4)


Oh God my Father we have an example of when fire is activated by the case of the Amazon Forest, that cannot be controlled. I pray that You activate a fire of faith in our society to overcome the wave of evil and corruption that we are living in Amen.


⁵ Declare in Judah, and proclaim in Jerusalem, and say; Blow the trumpet through the land; shout aloud and say, "Gather together, and let us go into the fortified cities!


(The Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 4 verse 5)


Let us all place our trust in Jesus and proclaim Him as our God and Father and face our greatest and smallest fears and challenges and in the name of God overcome them Amen.

⁶ Raise a standard toward Zion, flee for safety, do not delay, for I am bringing evil from the north, and a great destruction.

(The Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 4 verse 6)

Amen let us all raise our hands in praise to You my God and Father and give You praise thanksgiving and worship for You are my conqueror my refuge and consolation.


⁷ A lion has gone up from its thicket, a destroyer of nations has set out; he has gone out from his place to make your land a waste; your cities will be ruins without inhabitant.


(The Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 4 verse 7)


Oh God my Father I have an ugly feeling that the devil has somehow set himself free and is on a path of global destruction, in an attempt to destroy all that You have created. Australia is already in flames, and a new deadly virus has appeared. Is this the beginning of the end my God and Father? Amen.


⁸ Because of this put on sackcloth, lament and wail;"The fierce anger of the LORD has not turned away from us".


(The Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 4 verse 8)


Oh brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, this is indeed a time of repentance, for it is a time that is referred to in the Apocalypse of St. John, a time of war, and a time of the spreading of disease that is uncontrollable. Therefore rejoice and turn back from your ways and my ways, for the mercy of God is without boundaries Amen.


⁹ On that day, says the LORD courage shall fail the king and the officials; the priests shall be appalled and the prophets astounded.


(The Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 4 verse 9)


Oh God my Father only You know when this day will be. I wait in hope and faith and pray that I will be caught surprised by this chosen day but be found in good faith Amen.


¹⁰ Then I said, "Ah, Lord GOD, how utterly you have deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying, 'It shall be well with you, even while the sword is at the throat!"


(The Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 4 verse 10)


Oh God my Father many people have either misunderstood Your Word, or have willfully abused it by giving us a false interpretation of it. I pray that You continue to inflame our mind by means of the Holy Spirit so that the true message will be delivered to us Your people. Amen. 


¹¹ At that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem: A hot wind comes from me out of the bare heights in the desert toward my poor people, not to winnow or cleanse-¹² a wind too strong for that. Now it is I who speak in judgment against them.


(The Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 4 verses 11 to 12)


Oh God my Father even we have raised Your anger and deserve to die. I realize that this virus is Your way of showing us that we are not in control of our lives and that it is fragile. I pray that we learn to find our security in You my God and Father Amen.


¹³ Look! He comes up like clouds his chariots like the whirlwind; his horses are swifter than eagles woe to us for we are ruined!


(The Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 4 verse 13)


Oh God my Father You gloriously ascended into the heavens and from there will You come again not as a frail baby but as an almighty God Amen.


¹⁴ O Jerusalem, wash your heart clean of wickedness so that you may be saved. How long shall your evil schemes lodge within you?


(The Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 4 verse 14)


Oh God my Father, this is a time of sanitizers and hygiene against a deadly virus, however, this is also a time of repentance for what is worth trying to save the body and then one loses one's soul?


¹⁵ For a voice declares from Dan and proclaims disaster from Mount Ephraim.


(The Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 4 verse 15)


Oh God my Father this is the time of repentance for Satan is attacking humanity. This evil spirit is keeping us away from the Holy Eucharist and from confession placing us in a very weak spiritual position thus leaving us in our state of sin. I pray that for this reason, this phase of our life will soon be over Amen.


¹⁶ Tell the nations, "Here they are!" Proclaim against Jerusalem. "Besiegers come from a distant land: they shout against the cities of Judah;


(The Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 4 verse 16)


Oh God my Father You can advocate in our favour and even against us if we do not live according to Your will Amen. I pray that I find You always on my side Amen.


¹⁷ They have closed in around her like watchers of a field, because she has rebelled against me, says the LORD.


(The Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 4 verse 17)


Oh God my Father my enemies are Your enemies. When they see that I have abandoned You who is my security my fortress, they will hit me back with full force. They are waiting for my moment of weakness to harm me both physically and spiritually. All the time I pray for Your support love and care Amen.


¹⁸ Your ways and your doings have brought this upon you. This is your doom; how bitter it is! It has reached your very heart."


(The Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 4 verse 18)


Oh God my Father I pray that if this Corona Virus is man-made and not natural I pray for the forgiveness of those involved in its manufacture and dissemination for it is causing much pain in the world Amen. I pray for their forgiveness and not for their condemnation for they surely did not imagine the devastation it was to cause Amen. 


¹⁹ My anguish, my anguish! I writhe in pain! Oh, the walls of my-heart! My heart is beating wildly; I cannot keep silent; for I hear the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.


(The Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 4 verse 19)


Oh God my Father, what pain in my heart what stress, when I hear the sound of the helicopter and become aware that there are migrants on the open seas who need help and our ports are closed due to Covid 19 and issues with the European Union. I fear for the loss of lives of women, men and even children Amen. Oh God have mercy and that a solution to this human crisis may be found Amen.


²⁰ Disaster overtakes disaster, the whole land is laid waste, Suddenly my tents are destroyed, my curtains in a moment.


(The Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 4 verse 20)


Oh God my Father for a time we might think that all is well with our lives and then You decide to test us. Instead of tests we consider such events as being tragedies or accidents, however by means of such events You are inviting us for growth on many levels of being especially the spiritual Amen.

²¹ How long must I see the standard, and hear the sound of the trumpet?

(The Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 4 verse 21)

Oh God my Father, how long are we going to hear of the spread of this virus, how many more lives is it going to claim? I pray that You put an end to this malady so that we can come back to our normal lives. I pray that we learn a big lesson that in this world we are not secure, for such a small virus can easily change our world and our ways of life. I pray that we learn to invest in our spiritual lives more than on our physical lives Amen.

²¹"For my people are foolish, they do not know me; they are stupid children, they have no understanding. They are skilled in doing evil but do not know how to do good".

(The Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 4 verse 22)

Oh God my Father, we are indeed foolish and selfish. We take decisions that cater for our needs and disregard the basic needs of others. We would like to do good, but to do good is not natural in us, we have to strive against our own selves against our own sinful nature Amen.

²³ I looked on the earth, and lo, it was waste and void; and to the heavens, and they had no light. ²⁴ I looked on the mountains, and lo, they were quaking, and all the hills moved to and fro.

(The Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 4 verse 23)

Oh God my Father this is a prophecy that will surely be fulfilled, for we are gradually destroying our natural, social and even our physical and spiritual environment. I pray that You stop us from continuing this wave of destruction Amen.

The Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 3 of 52

The Book of Prophet Jeremiah

 Chapter 3

¹ If a man divorces his wife and she goes from him and becomes another man's wife, will he return to her? Would not such a land be greatly polluted? You have played the whore with many lovers; and would you return to me? says the LORD.

(Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 3 verse 1)

Oh God, my beloved Father, I have not always been faithful to You, by using my time in activities that were not always according to Your will such as preferring to play my online game 'Need for Speed' instead of using that time in prayer. However, You showed me that these material alienations or lovers where gradually interfering in our relationship and You showed me that You are my true love and that I am to place You before everything and before any other activity Amen.


² Look up to the bare heights and see! Where have you not been lain with? By the waysides, you have sat waiting for lovers, like a nomad in the wilderness. You have polluted the land with your whoring and wickedness.




(Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 3 verse 2)


Oh God, my beloved Father, it is time for us to take full responsibility of our sinful actions and repent from them, for in all our different ways we are all sinners in need of repentance. Amen.



³ Therefore the showers have been witheld, and the spring rain has not come; yet you have the forehead of a whore you refuse to be ashamed.



(Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 3 verse 3) 



Oh God my beloved Father, You know how stubborn we can be, I do not blame You for the consequences that we experience due to our own sinful acts. I pray on behalf of the innocent people, for it is not fair that both the innocent and the guilty suffer the same consequences especially those who are victims of the greed of others Amen. 



⁴ Have you not just called to me, "My Father, you are the friend of my youth-⁵ will he be angry forever, will he be indignant to the end?" This is how you have spoken, but you have done all the evil that you could.



(Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 3 verses 4 to 5) 




Many times oh God my Father we reason from a human perspective and address You as we address ourselves, however, Your love for us is unimaginable so much that we cannot even understand it. Your behaviour towards me is much better than mine towards You my God and Father, indeed Your ways are not my ways but You still love me Amen. 



⁶ The LORD said to me in the days of King Josiah: Have you seen what she did, the faithless one, Israel, how she went up on every high hill and under every green tree, and played the whore there?



(Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 3 verse 6)  



Oh God my Father, it seems that as humans we are required by You to observe and be aware of what happens in our environment and life situations. I pray that we be more aware and sensitive to others and their needs and even of ourselves and of our needs Amen.



 ⁷ And I thought, "After she has done all this she will return to me" but she did not return, and her false sister Judah saw it. ⁸ She saw that for all the adulteries of that faithless one, Israel I had sent her away with a decree of divorce; yet her false sister Judah did not fear, but she too went and played the whore.


(Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 3 verses 7 to 8) 


Oh God, my beloved Father, I had lived 16 years with the hope that the situation of my marriage would improve, however instead of improving it continued to degrade until I had to apply for a separation. I pray that You do not condemn me for such an act Amen.



⁹ Because she took her whoredom so lightly. she polluted the land, committing adultery with stone and tree.



(Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 3 verse 9) 




Due to the fact that my wife took her online friends so seriously and intimately, they became an integral part of her life and that of my 10-year-old daughter, and I found myself having to literally compete between three people, my nephew and two others. This is a situation that I could take no longer. Amen. 


¹⁰ Yet for all this her false sister Judah did not return to me with her hole heart, but only in pretense, says the LORD.


(Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 3 verse 10) 



Oh God my Father kindly forgive us for when we were not always totally honest with You, even though we are aware that You know us more than we know ourselves Amen.



¹¹ Then the LORD said to me; Faithless Israel has shown herself less guilty than false Judah.


(Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 3 verse 11) 


Oh God my Father, the new and modern people of God of the New Testament which I happen to be a part of as a member of the human race, are acting in more negative ways than the old testament people of God. People living during these times were lacking in both science and technology however they were closer in their relationship with You.


Today when considering scientific and economic progress we are still lacking in both quality and quantity as people who really and truly believe in You. Sadly enough we have gradually degenerated to becoming our own gods, acting according to our own logic feelings, mood and appetites, which do not always correspond with what is right and acceptable before You Amen. God have mercy Amen. 


¹² Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say; Return, faithless Israel, says the LORD, I will not look on you in anger, for I am merciful says the LORD;  I will not be angry forever.




(Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 3 verse 12) 



Oh, brothers and sisters if any of us cannot forgive ourselves if we still guilty about something that happened in the past or recent present rest assured that God will forgive you and will not be mad or angry at you or me. Amen.



¹³ Only acknowledge your guilt, that you have rebelled against the LORD your God, and scattered your favors among strangers under every green tree, and have not obeyed my voice says the LORD.



(Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 3 verse 13) 



Oh God, my Father, with great responsibility I acknowledge the mistakes that I did in my life particularly in my marriage that may have had fuelled the flame leading to the separation which became inevitable. At times I feel both sad and sorry especially when considering the financial and emotional consequences that I am enduring. However, my greatest consolation is in the fact that You are in control of the direction of my life in You I place my trust my present and future is in You hands Amen. Thank You, Jesus.



¹⁴ Return, O faithless children, says the LORD, for I am your master; I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.



(Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 3 verse 14) 



Oh God my Father in 2019 You are still calling us to repentance. You are our God and Father and like You, there is no other. I pray that You use me in helping others return back to You. I offer You the strengths and weaknesses that You have given me. I am at Your disposal take my life and use it as You wish Amen.



¹⁵ I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.



(Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 3 verse 15) 



Oh God, my Father, I thank You for the Roman Catholic Church and other sources such as pastors like Joel Osteen among others by which You choose to reveal Your love for and to me Amen. 



¹⁶ And when you have multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, says the LORD, they shall no longer say, "The ark of the covenant of the LORD" It shall not come to mind, or be remembered, or missed; nor shall another be made.


(Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 3 verse 16)



Oh God, my Father You know us so well more than we know ourselves. You know that we seek You most when we are in pain and suffering but this is not fair. I pray that You heal us from our selfish and sinful selves Amen. 



¹⁷ At that time Jerusalem shall be called the throne of the LORD, and all nations shall gather to it, to the presence of the LORD in Jerusalem, and they shall no longer stubbornly follow their own evil will. ¹⁸ In those days the house of Judah shall join the house of Israel, and together they shall come from the land of the north to the land that I gave your ancestors for a heritage.



(Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 3 verses 17 to 18)



Oh God, my Father in a way this prophecy has already been fulfilled, for the promised land in part has already been given to Your people. I pray that in time Your Will may continue to be done and it will be given back to them in full as full owners. Amen. As Your people and as Your Church we are also Your heritage and one day we will also turn from our evil ways and be worthy of being called Your People and Your heritage Amen.


¹⁹ I thought how I would set you among my children, and give you a pleasant land, the most beautiful heritage of all the nations. And I thought you would call me, My Father, and would not turn from following me. ²⁰ Instead, as a faithless wife leaves her husband, so you have been faithless to me, O house of Israel, says the LORD.


(Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 3 verses 19 to 20)


Oh God, my Father, kindly forgive me for many times I have been unfaithful to You and have turned from Your ways Amen.



²¹ A voice on the bare heights is heard, the plaintive weeping of Israel's children, because they have perverted their way, they have forgotten the LORD their God: ²² Return, O faithless children I will heal your faithlessness. "Here we come to you; for you are the LORD our God


(Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 3 verses 21 to 22)



Turn around and face God oh brothers and sisters who may have become entangled in the ways of the LORD. Many people are praying on your behalf. A mother prays in the emergency room for her son who has just committed an overdose, another one who has been involved in a serious car accident to over drinking and excessive driving. God is listening to our prayers even though we blame Him for our mishaps. He is ready to forgive us. Amen.



²³ Truly the hills are a delusion, the orgies on the mountains. Truly in the LORD our God is the salvation of Israel.



(Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 3 verse 23)


Oh, brothers and sisters, sexual acts of the flesh give us a few seconds of pleasure and alot of mins of displeasure. It is best to invest in what gives us eternal satisfaction Amen. This satisfaction is one that only God can give Amen.



²⁴ "But from our youth the shameful thing has devoured all for which our ancestors had labored, their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters. ²⁵ Let us lie down in our shame, and let our dishonor cover us; for we have sinned against the LORD our God, we and our ancestors, from our youth even to this day; and we have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God."



(Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 3 verse 24 to 25)



Oh God my Father, the everlasting disease of sin and its side effects we are still experiencing to this very day. I pray that we turn to You and admit the sins that have caused many grievances in the world both for ourselves and for others. Such sins are leading to disruption in the climate which is causing storms and tsunamis that are causing the death of many people. Pollution and contamination, genetic modification, abortion among the many others. Amen. I pray for a global cleansing, my God and Father Amen.


I would like to end this meditation on the third chapter of the book of the prophet Jeremiah with the following prayer:-


 Oh God my blessed Father, as You know we are great sinners, so much that Your Son had to pay such a big price for our redemption. However, even though many years pass we are still not learning from our previous mistakes. The world is sinking in its own sinful desires, alienated by consumerism, the advances in science and technology. When will we turn to You my God and Father? I pray that You place us in a situation where You will be our only hope! Wake the world up from this life of sin and alienation Amen. Thank You Jesus.

 

The book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 2

 

The book of Prophet Jeremiah

 Chapter 2

 

 

1. The word of the LORD came to me, saying: 2.  Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem, Thus says the LORD:  I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride, how you followed me in the wilderness, in a land not sown.

(Book of Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 2 verses 1 to 2)

Oh God my Father You remember the time when we were still innocent and free of the stain of sin, when all our actions were genuine and not have a malicious intent, when our obedience to our parents was absolute, because they were our comfort zones to which we would return on, feeling insecure as in childhood. 

Oh God, my Father, You are also reminding us of the beginning of our relationship with You when we made our peak experience and placed our entire trust in You. During such moments we were ready to do all that You asked us to do, or go wherever You wanted me to go. In my case, in search of Your will I ended up in Sicily with the 'Brothers of Mother Theresa' and even in Spain where I accepted Your call in the presence of Bishop Cortez in Spain from which after I joined the friars of St.Augustine in Malta. Even in 2016, I am still venturing on roads according to Your Will. I have changed many jobs, and everywhere I went I proclaim Your Word and my belief in You. Amen. 

 


3. Israel was holy to the LORD, the first fruits of his harvest. All who ate of it were held guilty; disaster came upon them, says the LORD.




(Book of Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 2 verse 3)



Oh God my Father, as You try to remind Your people about how faithful You had always been and about how much You protected them from their enemies, You are also telling me not to worry of what may happen in the future but to place my full trust in You my God and Father and look ahead Amen.



4. Hear the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel. 5. Thus says the LORD: What wrong did your ancestors find in me that they went far from me, and went after worthless things, and became worthless themselves?



(Book of Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 2 verses 4 to 5)



Oh God my Father today in 2016 You ask us the same question:



"Where did I go wrong ? You asked for rain and I give you rain, You asked for security love and even material gains and needs and to reach your aims and I helped you so long as it was healthy for you. You received all this bounty and care and nonetheless, some of you have chosen to follow other religions or to become atheists! Even though your ancestors were not academics as you are today they believed in God and the message of the 'Good News', however, you have denied me although you claim to be super intelligent! Where did I go wrong?



6. They did not say, "Where is the LORD who brought us up from the land of Egypt, who led us in the wilderness, in a land of deserts and pits, in a land of drought and deep darkness, in a land that no one passes through, where no one lives?"



(Book of Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 2 verse 6)



Oh God, my Father this is one of the many accusations that we accuse You of. Where was God in that situation and or why did He permit so many people to die? When hurling such unfair accusations we fail to consider that it is not by Your will that death exists or ever came into existence. You hate the death of humans so much that You made a parody of it on the cross by dying and rising up again and thus escaping from its clutches. On the other hand, my God and Father, on the one hand, we tell You to stay out of our lives because we would like to live life according to our ways, but on the other hand, when things go wrong we ask each other, why You permitted this and that to happen. I pray that You have mercy on us, for we do not know what we do or say Amen. 



7. I brought you into a plentiful land to eat its fruits and its good things. But when you entered you defiled my land, and made my heritage an abomination.



(Book of Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 2 verse 7)



Oh God my Father, in which area of our life did You make a mistake. You created us in Your form, gave us your presence by means of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, You also gave us a wonderful brain and the possibility of discovering great wonders in order to help improve life on earth. However oh God we do not always use our intelligence and spirit for good intent but for negative purposes. I pray oh God my Father that You stay by us every day of our lives for we are weak and do not know what we do or say.  




8. The priests did not say, "Where is the LORD?" 'Those who handle the law did not know me: the rulers transgressed against me; the prophets prophesied by Baal, and went after things that do not profit.



(Book of Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 2 verse 8)



Oh God, my Father when it came to making important decisions in the world regarding abortion clinics, divorce, same-gender marriages and many more You were not consulted. Therefore now we are subject to face the consequences of such negative decisions Amen.



9. Therefore once more I accuse you, says the LORD, and I accuse your children's children.


(Book of Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 2 verse 9)



Oh God my Father if You were to pass judgment on the world You would still find many issues on which to accuse us, for many forms of injustices are taking place in the world. As the human race which is superior to that of the animal kingdom and Your Sons and Daughters, we are to be more caring and responsible and place our trust in You Amen.




10. Cross to the coasts of Cyprus and look, send to Kedar and examine with care; see if there has ever been such a thing. 11. Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for something that does not profit. 12. Be appalled, O heavens, at this, be shocked, be utterly desolate, says the Lord, 13. for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living water, and dug out cisterns for themselves, cracked cisterns that can hold no water.



(Book of Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 2 verses 10 to 13)



Oh God, my Father go to Syria the situation is disastrous, it is as if the reign of chaos and death is reigning. People in the world are committing shelling and air strikes. When You are not present in our lives we start acting worse than animals. We become more animals than animals themselves. We are truly like jars or cisterns that are cracked and can hold no water. The devil makes the cracks bigger so that we cannot keep Your presence in us. I pray for the healing of the world my God and Father Amen.


14. Is Israel a slave? Is he a homeborn servant? Why then has he become plunder?


(Book of Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 2 verse 14)



Oh God my Father this is a very interesting question, are we slaves or free persons? From a legal perspective, we can all say that we have fundamental human rights which make us free to obey the laws and live our social lives along with the exercise of our rights and obligations, however, on the other hand, we are treating others as if they are slaves. 


In truth in the flesh, we are not that free for we are slaves of our own sins and addictions,, if we choose to be controlled by such negative forces. Our only freedom is that of being able to worship You, my God and Father Amen.





15. The lions have roared against him, they have roared loudly. They have made his land a waste; his cities are in ruins, without inhabitant.


(Book of Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 2 verse 15)



Oh God my Father, indeed the lions are gnashing their teeth against me from all sides, all hell is breaking looses against me and I feel totally exhausted. If I did not place my hope in You I would have already been psychologically, and spiritually destroyed, however, You are always close by ready to protect and love me Amen.



16. Moreover, the people of Memphis and Tahpanhes have broken the crown of your head. 17. Have you not brought this upon yourself by forsaking the LORD your God, while he led you in the way?


(Book of Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 2 verses 16 to 17)



Oh God my Father many times You try to drag us out of the pit that we end up digging for others and at times even for ourselves. You love us so much that You save us from our evil selves, even though at times we decide to act according to our own plans and not according to Your will Amen.



18. What then do you gain by going to Egypt, to drink the waters of the Nile? Or what do you gain by going to Assyria, to drink the waters of the Euphrates?



(Book of Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 2 verse 18)



Oh God, many times we prefer to go back to our old lives than face the reality of the present one. As humans, we end up turning back to our state of Egypt and drinking the unclean water instead of dipping our buckets into Your clean and never-ending graceful and abundant healing waters Amen.



19. Your wickedness will punish you, and your apostasies will convict you. Know and see that it is evil and bitter for you to forsake the LORD your God; the fear of me is not in you, says the Lord God of hosts.


(Book of Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 2 verse 19)



Oh, brothers and sisters, none of our actions be they good or bad can escape God my Father who is aware of our deeds all the time of our life. Even though we may not be aware of Your presence, You are always there. I thank You oh God for being so alert and ready to help me. I pray that I am found humble to respond to Your summons and not be hard-hearted, deaf and blind Amen. I pray that I be a channel of Your love so much that people who meet me make an experience of Your presence and not myself Amen.


20. For long ago you broke and burst your bonds, and you said, "I will not serve!" On every high hill and under every green tree you sprawled and played the whore.



(Book of Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 2 verse 20)



Oh God my Father for many years I have been under the yoke of my obedience to You. I have been persevering the brunts and lashes of a tongue that shows no love and care. I cannot take it anymore. I will still serve You even if I stay no longer in this marriage. If I decide to go it is not because  Ido not want to serve you or to carry my cross but because I am becoming psychologically and physically weak. I do not know how long I can take it Amen. Please help me oh God my Father. Amen. 



21. Yet I planted you as a choice vine, from the purest stock. How then did you turn degenerate and become a wild vine? 


(Book of Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 2 verse 21)



Oh God my Father, You created us as humans, and all that You created is perfect, how then did we degenerate into such a sinful state as a global community and even on an individual level? I pray for mercy oh God my Father, both for myself and even for the world at large, for we have become dirty and stained by our sins. Amen.


²² Though you wash yourself with lye and use much soap, the stain of your guilt is still before me, says the Lord God.



(Book of Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 2 verse 22)
 

Oh God my beloved Father do what we may, we can never deny our sinful reality and the fact that one day we are to meet You face to face and be accountable and responsible for all our actions as humans. I pray that You give me the grace to be true and honest in all my actions on earth. Give me the gratitude to thank You for all that goes well in life and even not well along with the responsibility and humility to admit where and when I was in error Amen.



²³ How can you say, " I am not defiled, I have not gone after the Baals"? Look at your way in the valley; know what you have done- a restive young camel interlacing her tracks, ²⁴ a wild ass at home in the wilderness, in her heat sniffing the wind! Who can restrain her lust? None who seek her need weary themselves in her month they will find her. 


(Book of Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 2 verse 23 to 24) 



Oh God, my beloved Father, none of us including my self can stand before You blameless. Our sins are always before us and we can never deny them. I pray oh God my Father that due to this reality I will never think of judging others for it is best to judge myself before doing so. Amen 


²⁵ Keep your feet from going unshod and your throat from thirst. But you said, "It is hopeless,  for I have loved strangers and after them I will go."



(Book of Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 2 verse 25)



Oh God, my beloved Father, many times You have talked to me and others about taking care of ourselves and be protected against the forces of evil both within us and even in our social environment. However, at times we are tempted to follow our desires and inclinations that are purely carnal and worldly instead of following You Amen. 


²⁶  As a thief is shamed when caught, so the house of Israel shall be shamed- they, their kings, their officials, their priests, and their prophets, ²⁷ who say to a tree, "You are my father." and to a stone, "You gave me birth." For they have turned their backs to me, and not their faces. But in the time of their trouble they say,"Come and save us!"


(Book of Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 2 verses 26 to 27) 



Oh God I am aware that when I appear before You I am dirty with my sins. I  am also aware that I have not always depended on You and for this I am sorry. Once when I was talking with my lawyer I told her only you can save me, as if she has control over my life but only of a small part of my situation. I pray that while I still have time, I learn to let go and depend on You my God and Father. Amen. 


²⁸ But where are your gods that you have made for yourself? Let them come, if they can save you, in your time of trouble; for you have as many gods as you have town, O Judah.


(Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 2 verse 28)


Oh God, my Father the gods that we have created such as wealth, military power, luxury and comfort do not stand a chance against You and the forces that You possess. We have also made many gods and even though we know that they are as blind as we are some of us keep on worshipping them. I pray that You lovingly lead us out of our blindness Amen. 



²⁹ Why do you complain against me? You have all rebelled against me says the LORD.


(Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 2 verse 29) 


Oh God my Father as humans this is something that we excel in. People working in customer care will never be bored because our complaints will never stop being reported. As much as we complain against each other, we end up complaining about You, from whom we have received nothing but love, grace, and mercy. I pray that before complaining about You we stop and reflect on our relationship of love with You Amen. 


³⁰ In vain I have struck down your children; they accepted no correction. Your own sword devoured your prophets like a ravening lion.


(Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 2 verse 30)

Oh God my Father, many times I ask You many questions about why this happened and why this did not, however You have the answer to all my questions even though I do not always understand Your reasons. Today I rest assured that You are in control of every situation of my life and that I have no right to question You for Your actions Amen.


³¹  And you, O generation, behold the word of the LORD! Have I been a wilderness to Israel, or a land of thick darkness? Why then do my people say, "We are free, we will come to you no more"?


(Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 2 verse 31) 



Oh God, my Father You have always been my light even though I sometimes prefer the darkness of the world to Your light. However, on reflecting my God and Father I cannot live without Your light and Your love, for I am not a child of the night but of the day. My sin is what makes me shift from my good side to my lesser good side. However, You chose to die and clear away forever. I cannot live without You Amen. 


³² Can a girl forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? Yet my people have forgotten me, days without number.


(Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 2 verse 32) 



Oh God my blessed Father this verse came at the right time of my life because I was on the verge of stopping my prayers. Right now I feel abandoned and alone. I am crying to You for Your intervention, however, I am not hearing Your voice. I thought that I was praying for a good habit and not out of faith and love for You. I pray that You help me out of this situation and let me see Your light and experience Your love again.


³³ How well you direct your course to seek lovers! So that even to wicked women you have taught your ways



(Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 2 verse 33)


Oh God, my beloved Father, You are fair and just with everybody. You show the way of salvation to everyone, it is our decision which way to chose. Amen 


³⁴ Also on your skirts is found the lifeblood of the innocent poor, though you did not catch them breaking in Yet in spite of all these things ³⁵ you say, "I am innocent; surely his anger has turned from me." Now I am bringing you to judgment for saying, "I have not sinned."


(Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 2 verses 34 to 35)


Oh God my beloved Father, I am also bringing the issue of access to my daughter before You and even that of her visiting her mother's boyfriends abroad, and also regarding the issue of maintenance. In court, I will not sign anything before my access is granted. I do not deserve to be treated in this way and You know it, for even You were treated in a way that was unfit for God during your life as a human Amen.


³⁶ How lightly you gad about, changing your ways! You shall be put to shame by Egypt as you were put to shame by Assyria.


(Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 2 verse 36 )


Oh God my Father, many times we promise that we are changing our ways, however, we are condemned by ourselves when we do not stick to what we have promised because our judgment will be on ourselves and not on others amen.


³⁷ From there also you will come away with your hands on your head; for the LORD has rejected those in whom you trust, and you will not prosper through them.


(Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Chapter 2 verse 37 )


Oh God, my beloved Father may You trust whom I trust and may I trust those whom You trust. Many times it happens that I do not trust the people whom You trust. Throughout the course of my life, I have learned to be very selective in those whom I can really trust. I pray for Your discernment to make good decisions in this respect Amen.


I would like to close this second chapter of the book of the Prophet Jeremiah with the following prayer:


Oh God my beloved Father, Your timing is not like our timing, Your reasons and time of deliverance is unlike that of humans. Many times we blame You for the shortcomings of which we had an active part in. Forgive us our Lord God and Father Amen.