Pray Differently

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

When you live a life that is far from what you hoped for or imagined and when your dream life borders on a nightmare, you need to know how to pray.

Over the past several days I have been setting some context around this amazing promise from God delivered by the prophet Jeremiah. I have established that this promise was given during a time when God's chosen people found themselves under judgment for their idolatry and disobedience. God had allowed them to fall under captivity to the powerful Babylonian Empire. 

In our last post Jeremiah told the people this was going to be a long captivity and they had better make the best of it. When you can't do the things you want to do then do the things you need to do! Verse seven adds additional counsel for people who are struggling with life. One of the best things you can always do is pray!

"Also, 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.” Jeremiah 29:7

I don't know about you but when I am in a painful situation I tend to pray that God will get me out of it pronto! So this comes as helpful advice. I don't especially like it but I need it! Jeremiah says, "You are in these circumstances for a long time so don't pray for God to bail you out pray for the peace and the prosperity of this city."

Pragmatism is not always a Christian virtue but in this case Jeremiah reasons that what is good for their captors will result in good for them. Human nature would lead us to pray judgment down on our captors but in this case the captors ARE the judgment so pray differently!

If this sounds a lot like Jesus' admonition to pray for your enemies and those who make life miserable for you, that's because this IS the same God at work here! But this gives some background and insight to that command! When you pray for peace and prosperity for your enemies it blesses them but also blesses you! 

Remember, they are trying to make the best of a bad situation! There is no way to do that without prayer and those prayers MUST be the right sort of prayers!

Since this is where many of us live much of the time, listen and learn! This is God's word to you today from His ancient Prophet!