City Life Starter

Written by Eric Stephens

The Word

“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 have welfare.’”

Jeremiah 29:7 (NASB)

Study Question

Do you believe that the welfare of the city of Houston is tied to your welfare?

Commentary/Reflection

Jerusalem has fallen and most of its inhabitants have been taken captive to Babylon. Jeremiah, who’s still in Jerusalem, wrote a letter to those captives proclaiming that the road ahead would be long and arduous. As depressing and disappointing as that news was, Jeremiah then charges the people to do something even more difficult. He asks them to pray for the welfare of the very city that’s holding them captive. He says to “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 have welfare.”

Prayer is a powerful tool God uses to reach both those who are praying and those on the recipient end of the prayer. I can only imagine the anger and resentment Israel faced in their own heart, even possibly towards God, to pray for the very city that held them captive.

Praying for our local government is not an easy task. First, I tend to think of the government as an “entity” versus a group of people who serve for the betterment of a city or community. My prayers then tend to focus on God stopping something rather than God advancing anything.  Part of that might be the influence that the media has had on me, making me think that all governments are corrupt. Those thoughts of distrust have captivated me and rendering my prayers either ineffective or lacking at best.

Prayer

God I pray that you would first forgive me for harboring mistrust towards our local government. Help me see the people and faces that serve our city well. I pray that you would bless them and equip them with the necessary tools and support they need to govern. Give them wisdom and direction to lead in difficult and challenging times. Bless their families who at times pay the price for their service. Bring alongside them people who would encourage and build them up. Lastly, I pray for the welfare of the city of Houston and it’s leaders, for in this city’s welfare will be my welfare. For the sake of your name. Amen.