A Prayer of Longing and Deliverance
"The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD, was taken in their pits, of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the heathen." - Lamentations 4:20
Heavenly Father,
As I come before You today, my heart is heavy, reflecting on the words of Lamentations 4:20: "The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD, was taken in their pits, of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the heathen." These words of Jeremiah echo the cries of a people grappling with despair and loss, and they resonate deeply within my spirit. I can almost feel the weight of those ancient times as I ponder what it means to be stripped of our hope and of the breath that sustains us.
O Lord, how precious is the breath of life! You breathed life into Adam and declared him a living soul. Each breath we take is a testament to Your faithfulness and grace. Yet, so oftentimes, the world feels heavy upon our chests, and the sinful nature of man challenges that breath with despair. The metaphorical pits into which we fall can seem deep and dark, especially when the very light of Your anointed ones—the leaders, the prophets, and Christ Himself—appear to be silenced. I ask, Father, that You would stir in us a longing for the true breath of hope that comes only from You.
Dear Jesus, You were the anointed one, sent to bring forth salvation and restoration. Yet, as history shows, You faced great trials and tribulations, strife and rejection. In Your name, we have often found shelter from the storms of life, saying, "Under His shadow we shall live among the heathen." Yet, how often do we forget that Your shadow is one of protection, wisdom, and guidance? You are the good shepherd who leads us beside still waters and restores our souls. Forgive us, Lord, for our frail humanity that seeks refuge in worldly comforts rather than in Your everlasting arms.
In the world today, many feel abandoned, trapped in the pits of their circumstances, separated from the comfort of Your presence. They cry out in anguish, feeling as if the breath of life has been taken from them. I intercede now for those who are lost, for those who are disheartened, and for those who feel as though their hopes have been dashed against the rocks of despair. I pray, O Lord, that You would breathe renewal into their lives. May Your Spirit sweep through like a mighty wind, bringing hope and restoration to those who feel forsaken.
Father, grant us the faith and courage to seek Your anointing in every area of our lives. Let us not be afraid to cry out for deliverance from our own pits. Teach us to rise above the shadows of this world and to seek the deeper meaning of our existence as Your children. In moments of doubt, remind us that our breath returns to You who gave it. Help us to rely not on earthly understanding but on the eternal promises found in Your Word.
We yearn, Lord, to dwell under Your shadow, to find peace and hope in Your presence amidst the chaos surrounding us. Help us to trust that even when it seems like all is lost, You are always in control. May Your anointing fall upon our lives, providing wisdom in chaos, strength in vulnerability, and light in darkness.
In prayerful anticipation, I ask for restoration not only for our individual lives but for our communities, our nations, and our world. Let the comfort of Your presence be known to all who seek You. As we trust in You, may we become vessels of hope to those around us, sharing the good news of Your loving kindness.
Thank You, Lord, for being our refuge and strength. We honor and praise Your holy name. May our breaths today glorify You!
In Jesus' name, I pray,
Amen.
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Lamentations 4:20 - "The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD, was taken in their pits, of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the heathen."
"The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD, was taken in their pits, of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the heathen." - Lamentations 4:20
Lamentations 3:20 - "My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me."
Lamentations 5:20 - "Wherefore dost thou forget us for ever, and forsake us so long time?"
Lamentations 4:4 - "The tongue of the sucking child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirst: the young children ask bread, and no man breaketh it unto them."
Lamentations 4:5 - "They that did feed delicately are desolate in the streets: they that were brought up in scarlet embrace dunghills."
Lamentations 5:4 - "We have drunken our water for money; our wood is sold unto us."
"My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me." - Lamentations 3:20
Lamentations 4:13 - "¶ For the sins of her prophets, and the iniquities of her priests, that have shed the blood of the just in the midst of her,"
Lamentations 4:9 - "They that be slain with the sword are better than they that be slain with hunger: for these pine away, stricken through for want of the fruits of the field."
Lamentations 4:2 - "The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter!"
Lamentations 4:10 - "The hands of the pitiful women have sodden their own children: they were their meat in the destruction of the daughter of my people."
Lamentations 3:4 - "My flesh and my skin hath he made old; he hath broken my bones."
Lamentations 4:8 - "Their visage is blacker than a coal; they are not known in the streets: their skin cleaveth to their bones; it is withered, it is become like a stick."
Lamentations 4:16 - "The anger of the LORD hath divided them; he will no more regard them: they respected not the persons of the priests, they favoured not the elders."
Lamentations 4:14 - "They have wandered as blind men in the streets, they have polluted themselves with blood, so that men could not touch their garments."
Lamentations 4:19 - "Our persecutors are swifter than the eagles of the heaven: they pursued us upon the mountains, they laid wait for us in the wilderness."
Lamentations 4:6 - "For the punishment of the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the punishment of the sin of Sodom, that was overthrown as in a moment, and no hands stayed on her."
Lamentations 2:20 - "¶ Behold, O LORD, and consider to whom thou hast done this. Shall the women eat their fruit, and children of a span long? shall the priest and the prophet be slain in the sanctuary of the Lord?"
Lamentations 4:12 - "The kings of the earth, and all the inhabitants of the world, would not have believed that the adversary and the enemy should have entered into the gates of Jerusalem."
Lamentations 1:20 - "Behold, O LORD; for I am in distress: my bowels are troubled; mine heart is turned within me; for I have grievously rebelled: abroad the sword bereaveth, at home there is as death."
Lamentations 4:1 - "How is the gold become dim! how is the most fine gold changed! the stones of the sanctuary are poured out in the top of every street."
Lamentations 4:17 - "As for us, our eyes as yet failed for our vain help: in our watching we have watched for a nation that could not save us."
Lamentations 4:18 - "They hunt our steps, that we cannot go in our streets: our end is near, our days are fulfilled; for our end is come."
Lamentations 1:4 The roads to Zion mourn, for no one comes to her appointed festivals.
Lamentations 1:4 The roads to Zion mourn, for no one comes to her appointed festivals.
Lamentations 1:4 The roads to Zion mourn, for no one comes to her appointed festivals.
"Wherefore dost thou forget us for ever, and forsake us so long time?" - Lamentations 5:20
Lamentations 4:7 - "Her Nazarites were purer than snow, they were whiter than milk, they were more ruddy in body than rubies, their polishing was of sapphire:"
Lamentations 4:3 - "Even the sea monsters draw out the breast, they give suck to their young ones: the daughter of my people is become cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness."