“Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” —Jeremiah 29:7
The above verse was spoken in an era of political unrest. God’s people had been taken captive under an oppressive and wicked leader and forced to live in a foreign city. Yet it was to exiles that God gave the above instruc- tions as well as the promise that He had a plan to give them “a future and a hope” (Jer. 29:11).
As Christ-followers, we can only ever be exiles and foreigners in this land. Our ultimate hope is in the New Jerusalem, whose builder and architect is God (Heb. 11:10). While our spiritual welfare is secure, our human welfare isn’t guaranteed. Our mission is to pray for our cities, our nation, our world.
As you pray, keep this perspective: God has promised us a future hope that can never be shaken. But God is attentive to the needs of His children, even as we live in exile in this place that is not our home.
Make it Personal
Pray for God to put leaders in place in your local community and country who follow Him and obey His Word.