Read Lamentations 4 – 5
Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old. Lamentations 5:21 KJV
Revival starts with prayer. Throughout his prophetic ministry Jeremiah had pleaded with the people of Israel to turn from their sin to the Lord, but they failed to do so and reaped the consequences of their stubborn way. Now, gazing upon the charred ruins of Jerusalem, Jeremiah pleaded with God to turn them back to Him once again. He longed for earlier days when the blessing of God was experienced by the nation and the nation had a tender heart for God. Jeremiah understood for revival to happen, ultimately God had to make it happen as He worked in the hearts of His people. Jeremiah knew the only way they would turn was for God to turn them. He also understood prayer had a place in the process. Revival never happens without someone praying first. Years would pass before Jeremiah’s prayer would be answered but that did not discourage him from asking.
Lord, we are often distracted from You. We turn away without even realizing it. As a result, too often we are further from You than we can possibly know. Turn me that I might be turned, and turn our nation that we might be turned to You again.
A question to ponder: As Jeremiah looked around, he saw the condition of his nation, and was moved to pray. When I look around, what do I see and do?
