From: October 17, 2025
“Thus says the Lord: ‘A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.’” (Jeremiah 31:15 ESV).
Jeremiah’s words paint a scene of deep national sorrow. Ramah, a town north of Jerusalem, was the place where captives of Judah were gathered for deportation to Babylon (Jer. 40:1). The prophet personifies Israel as Rachel, the beloved matriarch of the nation, weeping for her lost children as they are carried away. Her cries echo the grief of a people suffering the consequences of their sin—families torn apart, children lost, and a future seemingly cut off. Yet Matthew, guided by the Spirit, later applies this verse to another tragedy: King Herod’s slaughter of the innocent baby boys in Bethlehem after the birth of Jesus (Matt. 2:16–18). Just as Rachel wept for the exiles of old, so the mothers of Bethlehem wept for their murdered sons. Both events remind us that sin—whether personal, political, or societal—always brings death and sorrow.
The weeping of Rachel still echoes today. Who will weep for the 63 million unborn children whose lives have been ended through abortion in the US since 1973—an amount equal to nearly one fifth of our current population? Each of those precious lives was known by God before birth (Ps. 139:13–16). Like Israel, our nation has sinned grievously, and the blood of the innocent cries out for justice. Yet even in judgment, Jeremiah’s prophecy holds a whisper of hope. Just a few verses later, God promises a new covenant and restoration (Jer. 31:31–34). Through Christ—the very Child spared from Herod’s sword—God offers forgiveness and life to all who repent and believe. Let us grieve with Rachel, but not without hope. Let us pray for revival, for repentance, and for a renewed reverence for life.
PRAYER: Dear Father, forgive us as a nation for shedding innocent blood. Heal our land from its sin and awaken Your people to weep and intercede. Thank You for Jesus, who came to bring life where death reigned. Help us to speak for the voiceless and to walk humbly in Your mercy and truth. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: October 17, 2024
“I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Timothy 2:1-2 ESV).
Paul called believers to pray for “all people,” especially for those in authority. His command to pray for “all people” extends beyond the church. Christ followers are to pray not only for fellow believers but for everyone, acknowledging that God desires all people to come to know Him.
Paul specifically called believers to pray for “kings and all who are in high positions.” This call was significant given the political hostility first century Christians often faced. Yet Paul didn’t advocate for rebellion or disengagement but for prayer. Through prayer, we trust God’s sovereignty over all authorities and situations, even when those in power don’t reflect our values.
The purpose of these prayers is that we may live “peaceful and quiet” lives, marked by godliness and dignity. Our prayers for leaders promote peace in society and make room for sharing the gospel. In today’s polarized world, Paul’s call to prayer remains vital. By lifting up all people, especially those in authority, we invite God’s peace and wisdom into our communities, trusting His power to bring about real and lasting change.
PRAYER: Father, we are so disturbed by all the political disunity in our land. We are tempted to join in, but You call us to pray instead. Therefore, we lift up all people, especially those who walk in darkness that their eyes might be opened. We pray for all those in authority that You would give them wisdom and strength to do Your will. We put our trust in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: October 17, 2023
“This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3-4 NLT).
God desires that all humanity would be saved. Yet, we know from the Scriptures that only those who believe will receive God’s salvation. The tension between what God “wants” and what we choose is difficult to ease. We tend to overstate one side or the other, either making too little or too much of man’s free will.
However, let us just consider the fact that God “wants” to save us, absent the theological conundrum for a moment. This surely reveals to us something about God. He created us. He loves us. And He wants to save us and be known by us. That God “wants everyone to be saved” reveals the loving heart of our God that would motivate Him to send His only Son, Jesus, to actually purchase what He Himself desired.
What does God want? He wants us. And when we are found by Him, we are called to tell others that God wants them too. So pray for all people that they might hear and believe this good news!
PRAYER: Dear Father, we are amazed that You have desired us. More than that, You have sent Your Son to redeem us and adopt us into Your family. We are amazed. We love You, Lord. And we thank You for salvation. We would be lost without You. Fill us afresh this day with Your Holy Spirit that we might serve You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: October 17, 2022
JEREMIAH’S SWEET DREAM
While Jeremiah slept, the Lord spoke to him in a prophetic dream of the coming Messiah and of a future time of joy and peace for Jerusalem. When he awoke, he remembered every word the Lord had said and he regarded his sleep as being so very sweet that he no doubt wished he could return to his slumber. For the one known as the Weeping Prophet lived during the time of Jerusalem’s destruction and was commissioned to preach a message of repentance to a people that wouldn’t listen. Yet, on this glorious morning, Jeremiah arose refreshed by the Word of the Lord.
I rarely remember my dreams, but there have been times when I have felt that the Lord visited me during the night. I usually have trouble describing such dreams and the details seem to slip away, but there is always a sweetness that remains. I have noticed that these dreams have usually come to me when my waking world was full of trouble or grief.
Although Jeremiah’s sweet dream did not change his present situation, it surely comforted him in his waking hours and strengthened him for the work of that day. It caused him to wake up and look around to see the world through the Lord’s eyes. It gave him an ultimate hope for the future.
PRAYER: Dear Father, at times our minds are so full of worry and our ears so full of noise that You must speak to us in our sleep to get our attention. Teach us to be quiet and hear Your voice. Thank You that You love us so much that You give us sweet dreams and restful sleep to empower us to face another day. Help us to wake up and look around with Your eyes today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: October 17, 2017
God desires that all humanity would be saved. Yet, we know from the Scriptures that only those who believe will receive God’s salvation. The tension between what God “desires” for us and what humanity desires for itself is difficult to ease. We tend to overstate one side or the other, either making too little or too much of man’s free will. However, let us just consider the fact that God “desires” to save us, absent the doctrinal conundrum for a moment. This surely reveals to us something about God. He created us. He loves us. And He wants to save us and be known by us. That God “desires all men to be saved” reveals the loving heart of our God that would motivate Him to send His only Son, Jesus, to actually purchase what He Himself desired.
From: October 17, 2016
Jeremiah prophesied of a day when Israel would return from being scattered among the nations to the land of promise, a day when their “weary” and “languishing” souls would be “satisfied” and “replenished” by the Lord Himself. And so, Jesus came saying, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matt.11:28-30). It is the Person of Jesus that God has given to satisfy our souls.
From: October 17, 2015
Jesus Christ is unique. He is God incarnate, fully human and fully divine. He is the only One able to reconcile us to the Father through His sacrificial death and resurrection. He is both our Advocate and Lamb, standing before the Father in our place of judgment. He took our sin, separation and death. And offers His righteousness, sonship and eternal life in exchange. Without Christ, a great chasm of spiritual separation continues to exist between God and humanity. With Christ this chasm is bridged. Christ is our only Mediator!