Jeremiah: Part 4

Message: Hard Prayers (Jeremiah 20:7-18)

· Jeremiah begins his prayer angry that God has put him in this situation of constant ridicule. (20:7-8)

· Even in his misery, he knows God’s way is better and he has faith. (20:9-14)

· Jeremiah ends his prayer feeling overwhelmed. (20:15-18)

· Why did Jeremiah pray this prayer?

a. God wants us to be honest.

b. God can handle our anger, doubt, fears, etc.

c. Trust God with what we are really feeling.

· Let anger turn to cries, cries turn to sobs, and sobs turn to prayers.

· Why did God choose to put this prayer in the Bible?

a. Even the greatest servants in the Bible experience pain.

b. God loves honesty.

c. Verbalizing our pain helps us heal.

d. Honest prayer builds faith.

· Let God engage you in the middle of your turmoil.

· God may use your pain to minister to those around you.

· God will use these times to build your faith.

Questions

1. C.S. Lewis wrote, “We must lay on Him what is in us, not what ought to be in us.” How honest are your prayers?
2. Do you allow God to meet you in the trials of life?
3. Fill in the blank: ____________, but the Lord is with me.
4. How have you received honesty in relationships? How honest are you in relationships? How do these experiences translate to your honesty with God?
5. Share some of the greatest servants in the Bible who experienced pain in life. What do we learn from each?
6. What stops us from “being real” with fellow brothers and sisters-in-Christ? With God?
7. Why do you think God put this prayer in the Bible, specifically for you?
8. Take time for honest prayer. If you need to, let your anger turn to cries, cries turn to sobs, and sobs turn to prayers.