Then you, will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
- Jeremiah 29:12-13
Have you ever had a problem that seemed to hold you captive? In Jeremiah 29: 12-13, the Bible tells us, “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
In this passage in Jeremiah, God’s people were being held as prisoners in Babylon. They must have felt confused and uncertain as to why God wasn’t delivering them. Perhaps they questioned why their prayers for freedom seemed to go unanswered.
But God was at work on their behalf, just like He is at work on your behalf today.
Whatever it is you are facing, God is available to you. He wants to help you, be with you, comfort and direct you. Often, when the Bible gives us a promise, it also provides us with a directive. In this passage, we are told to seek God with all our hearts, and we will find Him.
What is it today that you need help to navigate? Are you seeking Him and calling upon Him for help? God desires a relationship with you. He wants to be a part of your life.
Jesus, thank you for being a God of relationship. Please help me to grow closer to you each day. Amen.
With Love,
Sherry Shepherd
Use This in Your Personalized Scripture Journal
As you reflect on Jeremiah 29:12–13, take time to write through these prompts:
- Am I truly seeking God with my whole heart, or only when I need something?
- What distractions keep me from consistent prayer?
- Where am I currently waiting on God’s direction?
- Do I believe that God hears me when I call?
- What would it look like to pursue Him daily, not just occasionally?
Jeremiah reminds us that God responds to wholehearted pursuit. Writing your prayers and reflections can help you move from passive faith to intentional seeking.
Use this space to record what you are praying for and how God answers over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Jeremiah 29:12–13 mean?
These verses promise that when we call on God and seek Him with our whole heart, He listens and allows Himself to be found.
Is this promise only for Israel?
While originally spoken to Israel in exile, the principle of wholehearted pursuit and God’s responsiveness applies to believers today.
What does it mean to seek God with all your heart?
It means pursuing Him sincerely — not casually or half-heartedly — through prayer, obedience, and consistent devotion.
Why does God require wholehearted seeking?
Because true relationship requires sincerity and commitment, not surface-level interest.
How can journaling strengthen my prayer life?
Writing helps focus your thoughts, track answered prayers, and cultivate deeper intentionality in seeking God.
1 comment
Shirley
Thank you Sherry for your explanation of the prophet Jeremiah. As I reminisce about an article on Navy sailors trying to jump overboard, I can place myself in their situation. Wartime is not fun time as one would think. It requires mental, physical, and spiritual connections with God, shipmates, and oneself. However, with trust, faith and being obedient to God’s words, it is a doable task. He will return them to their homeland. As it states, God will be found by them and will eventually reverse their captivity (wartime issues and concerns) by bringing them back to their homeland (United States). They must trust the process because he sees and hears ALL things.
Thank you Sherry for your explanation of the prophet Jeremiah. As I reminisce about an article on Navy sailors trying to jump overboard, I can place myself in their situation. Wartime is not fun time as one would think. It requires mental, physical, and spiritual connections with God, shipmates, and oneself. However, with trust, faith and being obedient to God’s words, it is a doable task. He will return them to their homeland. As it states, God will be found by them and will eventually reverse their captivity (wartime issues and concerns) by bringing them back to their homeland (United States). They must trust the process because he sees and hears ALL things.