Jeremiah is the very “anomaly” of prayer, so very atypical!
The man just does not seem to have had (what would be called today) a “healthy” prayer life at all.
He complains as he prays so very often!
Here’s an example: “O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.” Jeremiah 20:7
And another: “I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand: for thou hast filled me with indignation. Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, which refuseth to be healed? wilt thou be altogether unto me as a liar, and as waters that fail?” Jeremiah 15:16-18
Wow!
Calling God a deceiver?
And a liar?
And like waters that “fail?”
And when Jeremiah did try to pray aright, to intercede for Judah (the people he served for over 50 years, faithfully declaring the “Word of the Lord”) … God responded: “PRAY THOU NOT for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me: for I will not hear thee.” Jeremiah 7:16
Again in Jeremiah 11:14, God to Jeremiah. “Therefore PRAY THOU NOT for this people, neither lift up a cry or prayer for them: for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble.”
Yet another time, Jeremiah 14:11. “Therefore PRAY THOU NOT for this people, neither lift up a cry or prayer for them: for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble.”
Wow!
And Brother Bagwell wants to use Jeremiah as an example of a “prayer warrior?”
Yes.
Even in his low moments, even when God is saying “No,” Jeremiah is in communion with his Lord!
One of the longest ministries of any Prophet (50+ years) … and I cannot recall a minute the man was “out-of-touch” with God!
He saw a Nation fall (Judah).
Due to sin.
He was persecuted relentlessly, incessantly.
Due to preaching the Truth.
And he (thought he may have wavered a few times) never broke!
He talked with God from Jeremiah chapter 1 (the first) to Jeremiah chapter 52 (the last) of the Book!
His LIFE was a prayer!
And he did leave us this little nugget of gold, quoting Almighty God word for word. “Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” Jeremiah 33:3
That’s enough to convince me.
Jeremiah was a man of prayer.
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
Quality of prayer may not ultimately be measured in number of words uttered … but in years of godly activity lived to the Glory of our Father in Heaven!