“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)
Heavenly Father, these words are pretty shocking. You called your people to bring a redemptive presence in the pagan land of Babylon, where you sent them into exile. Rather than making it their goal to get out of Babylon, they were to bring the firstfruits of your kingdom there—even to Babylon.
Help us, likewise, to live and love to your glory in our country—no matter our passport, no matter the political atmosphere, no matter how much opposition we feel to the gospel.
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 government, may we seek its peace and prosperity; instead of throwing political grenades, may we seek love mercy and work for justice in our communities.
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 hard and when it’s easy. Our confidence is in the One who sits on the throne of heaven, not the one who sits in any other seat of authority. It still boggles my mind that Nero was emperor when Peter wrote these words, “Honor the emperor.”
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 grace and courage for the coming days, when obeying you will be more costly than we might imagine.
As Jesus’ kingdom has already appeared, so one Day it will come in fullness. We eagerly await Jesus’ return, for on that Day “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). So very Amen we pray, with hope and joy, in Jesus’ name.