May 18 – Day 138. Pray and talk with the Lord

Welcome to another episode of the EBC’s Prayer Podcast. Our scripture will be taken from Jeremiah 12:1, and it reads: “Righteous are You, O Lord, when I plead with You; Yet let me talk with You about Your judgments. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why are those happy who deal so treacherously?” Today, let us take a moment to deepen our conversation with the Lord. Let us come together in a heartfelt prayer to God, reflecting on our concern and the confusion that is covering the visible prosperity of the wicked.

As we pray, let us ask the Lord to grant us the strength we need to reflect on our own struggles with faith, especially when we are confronted with the harsh realities of injustice surrounding us. Let us delve deeper into our relationship with God, even when life presents its challenges or when we experience discrimination. Let us find clarity in his presence, as we navigate the complexities of our circumstances. Even when it is weighing heavily upon our hearts, and those who act unjustly seem to flourish untouchable, while the righteous seem to be enduring hardship, we can still trust God.

Transcript

Dear Heavenly Father, our Lord, God, and Savior. Father, we come before you with our hearts overflowing with gratitude. Thank you for the gift of a new day and the opportunity to draw near to you in prayer.

Lord, we come before you with reverence. “Righteous are you, O Lord, when we plead with you; let us talk with you about your judgments. Lord, why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why are those happy who deal so treacherously?”

Lord, you are just and righteous in all your ways, and we are approaching you with humility, for you are ready to plead our case. It weighs heavily on our hearts to observe the injustices in the world, where those who act unrighteously seem to flourish without facing the consequences of their actions. We earnestly seek your guidance and understanding, for our souls are burdened with these pressing questions.

Father, asking some of the same questions our ancestors have asked before. We look around our world and often feel overwhelmed when injustice seems to prevail, when those who reject you appear to flourish, and those who serve you sometimes face trials and hardships.

Lord, despite our understanding of your righteousness, we are troubled sometimes by the comparison of justice and the success of those who act immorally, wickedly, or sinfully. But thank you for revealing to us the honesty of our faith in you. Help us to manage the complexities of justice in a world that often seems unfair. Help us to seek answers, not out of doubt about God's nature, but out of a longing to understand the unfolding of God's plans amid human actions that seem to contradict your goodness.

Father, we are praying for your help today, for we know that confusion and even discouragement can enter our lives. Sometimes, our hearts wrestle with doubt, and we wonder if you hear our cries for justice and righteousness. Lord, in the midst of our questions, help us remember who you are: you are the God of truth, the God who sees all things, the God who rules with perfect justice. Nothing escapes your notice. Nothing falls outside your control. You are holy and righteous in all your ways, and though we cannot always see your plan, we can trust that you are working all things together for our good and all those who love you and are called according to your purpose.

Lord, help us to find peace in your presence even when our circumstances are heavy. Teach us to look beyond the temporary gains of this world and to fix our eyes on eternity, where true justice and righteousness will be revealed in fullness. Remind us that the wicked may prosper for a season, but their way is not secure. Thank you for reminding us that though we may endure hardships, we have a hope that cannot be shaken and an inheritance that will never perish.

Father, help us to draw near to you with our hearts. Help us not to allow fear, pride, or doubt to distance us from you. Stir within us a deeper hunger for your word and a stronger desire to walk faithfully in your ways. Help us to seek you diligently, not only in times of trouble but in moments of joy. Let our relationship with you not be built on emotions but on the foundation of your truth.

Lord Jesus, thank you for being our intercessor, our redeemer, and our shepherd. You know our weaknesses and our struggles. You walked this earth and experienced rejection, injustice, and suffering. Help us to trust that you understand our pain and that you stand with us in the midst of it. Lord, thank you for reminding us of your mercy and justice when you were on the cross, and thank you for your resurrection, which assures us of your victory over sin, death, and evil.

Lord, strengthen us today. Fill us with courage to keep praying by faith even when we don’t understand. Fill us with compassion so that we can respond to injustice not with bitterness, but with love, patience, and truth.

Father, have mercy on those who are hurting, those who feel crushed by injustice, those who feel forgotten or unseen. Surround us with your comfort and assure us that you are our very present help in times of trouble. Lord, have mercy on those who are against you, those who walk in wickedness, those who live in rebellion against your truth. In your mercy, soften our hearts. Lead us to repentance, that we all will turn from our ways and come to know the joy of salvation in you, Jesus Christ. For you do not delight in the death of the wicked, but that we turn to you.

Father, as we close this time of prayer, help us to rest in the assurance that you are faithful. Even when our hearts are heavy, even when we do not understand, help us to trust in your goodness and cling to your promises. Help us to act justly, and to love mercy in all that we do. We give you all the glory, all the honor, and all the praise. We thank you for hearing our prayers, for guiding our steps, and for holding us close to your heart.

In the powerful and matchless name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, we pray…Amen.

Everyone. Have a great day, and by God’s grace, we will pray again tomorrow…Bye-bye.