Jeremiah 7 Footnotes

7:16 Jeremiah was told not to pray for the people. This is not a generalized command that leaders should refrain from intercessory prayer for those committed to their charge. The Lord was telling Jeremiah that it was too late for Judah in this particular situation; judgment was at hand (v. 20). God knew their hearts and saw that they would not repent (v. 27). Under normal circumstances it is right for a spiritual leader to pray for his people (29:7; 1Sm 12:23; Dn 9; 2Co 13:9; Eph 1:17).