Words I wrestle with in prayer

My daily reading has me walking through Jeremiah, which is frightening on a whole new level since January 6.

In Jeremiah 14, Israel tries to get things back together. They have failed God miserably and rebelled horribly for hundreds of years. And like an addict that just needs another fix, they come home “repentant” swearing they’ll make it right this time.

Here is what I know the Lord says over and over in Jeremiah and I’m used to it:

¹⁰ This is what the Lord says about this people:

“They greatly love to wander;
    they do not restrain their feet.
So the Lord does not accept them;
    he will now remember their wickedness
    and punish them for their sins.” (Jer. 14:10)

Even as I know this pertains to Israel, for several years now this is how I’ve prayed over the American Church. This has been that word.

But then I come to an instruction from the Lord that has happened more than once in Jeremiah and I have to ask… is this my instruction now?

¹¹ Then the Lord said to me, “Do not pray for the well-being of this people. ¹² Although they fast, I will not listen to their cry; though they offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Instead, I will destroy them with the sword, famine and plague.”

So… I am genuinely wondering my position in prayer. An honest question.