American Reformation Church Prayer Journal 42
ARC Prayer Meeting
During the time of Israel’s captivity in Babylon, Jeremiah sent the captives a prophetic letter. It was sent to provide the Lord’s guidance under less than favorable conditions. They were in a foreign land amongst a foreign people with foreign customs. How then shall they live in such uncertain conditions and perilous times?
Jeremiah provides the answer they need from the Lord. Jeremiah 29:5-7 states, “Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters—that you may be increased there, and not diminished. And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace.”
Most Christians who have their finger on the pulse of what is transpiring in our nation at this time discern Christians in America are in a similar situation. We are living in a post-Christian era and we are resorting back to the brutal darkness of paganism as a nation. How then shall we live? First, we can take a cue from what Jeremiah who wrote to the captives in Babylon. Pray globally, nationally, but work locally, starting with the welfare of our families and churches.
Second, the prophet encouraged them that one day their captivity would end and their fortunes would change. He would return them to their own land. We have similar promises in Scripture when it comes to the knowledge of the glory of the Lord covering the earth as the waters covers the seas (Isaiah 11:9). It is here Jeremiah writes the famous verse Christians love to recite, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).
He gave them other promises as well. Amazingly, it has to do with their prayer life and the command to seek the Lord. The Psalmist stated, “When You said, “Seek My face,” My heart said to You, “Your face, LORD, I will seek” (Psalms 27:8). Jeremiah called upon Israel to seek the Lord just like the Psalmist and if they did that with their whole heart, they would find Him (Jeremiah 29:13).
Right before this challenge, God through the prophet Jeremiah summons His people to call upon Him. He commands them to go and pray to Him. He promises, He will hear them (Jeremiah 29:12).
In light of our uncertain time that tries the souls of men, God’s word provides guidance. Let’s come together tomorrow evening to seek the Lord and pray.
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