Pray for the City
“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 find your welfare.” — Jeremiah 29:7 ( NIV ) Devotion: Jeremiah 29:7 is one of the most surprising commands God ever gave His people. Israel was living in Babylon —far from home, surrounded by a culture that did not share their faith, their values, or their hopes. They longed for escape. They prayed for a quick return. Yet God’s word to them was not, “Hold your breath until this is over,” but rather, “Settle in. Plant gardens. Build homes. Raise families. And seek the good of the place where you are .” It is a call to faithful presence . God’s people were not to withdraw in resentment or despair. They were not to fight for dominance or retreat into isolation. Instead, they were to bless the very place that felt foreign and uncomfortable. They were to pray for it, work for its flourishing, and trust that God could use them—even there—to shine His lig...