Helpless Scarecrows (Jeremiah 10)

It’s the time of year for scarecrows.  Fall festivals, Halloween celebrations, they are everywhere.  They are iconic because of their appearance instead of their usefulness.  I don’t think anyone imagines an immovable object filled with straw works too well for its intended purpose of scaring birds and animals from gardens. 

In Jeremiah 10:4 and 8 (NLT), God instructed Jeremiah to remind His people in Israel that the gods revered by their enemies around them were “helpless scarecrows in a cucumber field!  They cannot speak and they need to be carried because they cannot walk.”  “People who worship idols are stupid and foolish.  The things they worship are made of wood!”

How many times do I foolishly bank on some bit of internet wisdom, some sure-fire method to solve a problem – instead of turning to the God who spoke the universe into existence.

Jeremiah reminded the Israelites, “Lord, there is no one like You!  For You are great, and Your name is full of power.” 

The prayer prompts below are written for those in a time of parenting or grandparenting, but whatever place in life you found yourself – consider and confess where you have been depending on worldly scarecrows, and prayerfully lift up your needs and worries to the Almighty Father.

Prayer Prompt 

Are we relying on helpless scarecrows?

• Lord, we have good intentions when it comes to our children/grandchildren, but help us see any areas where we are not depending on You. 

• Lord, help us see clearly what is good advice grounded in Your wisdom versus just more nonsense from the world.

• Lord, show us and our family very clearly what are helpless scarecrows that we should not depend on.  They may well seem like great or harmless things to us; teach us better.

Ask and Depend on Him 

• Lord, You are good, right, and amazing.  Help our children/grandchildren see that very clearly this week. 

• Lord, You have done good in our lives, help us show our family this with clearness and effectiveness.

• Lord, You are powerful.  Truly powerful!  For our children or grandchildren, we ask that You …

  • Guard them as they physically grow older and bigger. 

  • Protect them as they mature emotionally.

  • Help them as they grow spiritually.

  • Show them their spiritual gifts You have given them with purpose.

  • Make their value to You be something they can never miss.