S – O you hope of Israel, its savior in time of trouble, why should you be like a stranger in the land, 

like a traveler who turns aside to tarry for a night? ⁹  Why should you be like a man confused, like a mighty warrior who cannot save? Yet you, O Lord, are in the midst of us, and we are called by your name; do not leave us.” 

Jeremiah 14:8–9 ESV

O – Commentary:

its savior in time of distress Under the terms of the covenant, Yahweh should save. The implicit criticism in this appeal ignores the fact that the covenant was broken by the people when they disobeyed Yahweh and turned to other gods (see 11:14 and note).

14:9 like a warrior who is not able to help The standard explanation for defeat in the ancient Near East was that the local deity was not strong enough to save his people. Compare Ezek 8:12 and note. In this regard, the prophets’ assertions that Yahweh had allowed the Israelites’ defeat and even orchestrated it to judge them was an unorthodox concept (see Isa 59:1).

your name is called Appeals to Yahweh’s reputation and reminds Him that He will look weak for not saving His people

 John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Je 14:8–9.

A – We cannot manipulate God into acting for us.  When we pray, it is expressing our relationship with God and inviting God to act.  We cannot “negotiate” our will with God.  We need to surrender our will to Him and allow his will and purpose to be accomplished.

R – Heavenly Father, we worship and surrender to you.  Forgive us for trying to manipulate you with our words and actions to have you do something for us.  You gave us our greatest gift in Christ’s death on the cross so we can have relationship with you.  We invite you to accomplish your will in us today.