Exile – the state of being barred from one’s native country, typically for political or punitive reasons.
Jeremiah 29:4-7 4 This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the captives he has exiled to Babylon from Jerusalem: 5 “Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. 6 Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! 7 And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.”
What an interesting command. Prosper. And pray for the prosperity of your city, because when it does well, you do well. Seems simple enough., but wait, they’re in exile.
So if that was God’s command to people in exile, what do we think He wants us to do? Does He not want us to pray for our nation, even when our person doesn’t win, and maybe especially when they do? And we aren’t even in exile.
Is not the well-being of our country in the hands of those who follow Christ? Aren’t we supposed to be hopeful and different? If we won’t pray for our nation, who will? If we won’t do better, who do we expect to?
In a nation in need of spiritual prosperity, why are there so many Christians not praying for any? Jeremiah 29:11 says God knows the plan He has for us, for good for a future and hope, but let’s not skip the fact that they had a command in the meantime.