“Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” Jer. 29:7 (NIV)
Dear heavenly Father, though you gave this instruction to your people telling them how to conduct themselves during the Babylonian exile, living in our country increasingly has the feel of an exile. This shouldn’t surprise us, for indeed, you have called us to live as gospel-sojourners—as resident aliens, longing for our future life in the new heaven and new earth.
So help us to live and love to your glory in our country. Instead of being cynics, may we be servants and intercessors; instead of withdrawing out of disgust, may we be engaged with hope and kindness; instead of seeking judgment on our nation, may we seek its peace and prosperity.
Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. 1 Pet. 2:17 (ESV)
Show us how to honor our “emperor,” and others in authority, when it’s very hard to do. Our confidence is in the One who sits on the throne of heaven, not the one who sits in the biggest seat in the Oval Office, on in any other seat of authority. It still boggles my mind that Nero was emperor when Peter wrote these words.
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. Phil. 3:20 (NIV)
Father, herein lies our peace and joy, freedom and hope. Our truest, most defining and binding citizenship is in heaven. As we seek to obey human authorities as your delegated servants, so we will gladly obey you above all men. Give us strength for the days when that obedience will be necessary and costly.
As Jesus’ kingdom has already arrived through his resurrection, so one Day it will come in fullness. We eagerly await Jesus’ return, for on that Day defeated evil will be eradicated evil; everything sad will come untrue and all things broken will become all things new; the kingdom of the world will become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever (Rev. 11:15). Hallelujah! So very Amen we pray, with hope and joy, in Jesus’ name.