Prayer From A Hypocrite's Heart

It's possible for people to make requests of God for direction, to even ask others to pray for them, and yet have no intention of obeying the Lord when His answers come. This is a frightening reality with one such example recorded in Jeremiah chapters 42-43. You really should read it! One would think that the dire straits that these captains and leaders found themselves in, as well the solemnity with which they approached the prophet to request he interceded for them, would indicate sincerity. In fact, read their great proclamation:

So they said to Jeremiah, “Let the LORD be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not do according to everything which the LORD your God sends us by you. Whether it is pleasing or displeasing, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God to whom we send you, that it may be well with us when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.”
Jeremiah 42:5-6

Jeremiah interceded and God (who had known what Jeremiah did not know) answered their petition after ten days. You see, these men had just made an impressive show with no willingness to obey in their heart. In fact, if you have read the chapters indicated, you would have seen that they merely hoped that they would get God to approve their own plan. When Jeremiah responded with a contrary answer from the Lord they quickly became violent and accused him of plotting their downfall. God revealed their hearts to Jeremiah, and when he spoke of the disobedience of these leaders, notice that he used the past tense knowing full well that they would not accept the guidance of the Lord - despite the earnestness with which their request had been presented:

"For you were hypocrites in your hearts when you sent me to the LORD your God, saying, ‘Pray for us to the LORD our God, and according to all that the LORD your God says, so declare to us and we will do it.’ And I have this day declared it to you, but you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD your God, or anything which He has sent you by me.
Jeremiah 42:20-21

What is the lesson here for us? When seeking God for direction on any matter, we must be sure that we are willing to obey His leading. In this way, God will never have reason to say to us, "You were hypocrites in your hearts." It is best that we first ask Him to work in our hearts, so that our own will or natural reasoning loses it's strength over us. Ask the Lord to give us greater sight of how trustworthy He is, and a desire, and heart committed to doing His will. When we understand that God is a Good Shepherd who loves to lead us in the right way, with the wisdom and power to also keep us while we travel His path, we will more easily submit to His plan, and even long for it.

This is what the LORD says:

“Stand at the crossroads and look; 

ask for the ancient paths, 

ask where the good way is, and walk in it, 

and you will find rest for your souls..."

Jeremiah 6:16