Wait for my deliverance?! God are you serious? (part 3)

"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 will prosper too." 

Jeremiah 29:7

By now, in our study and application of Jeremiah 29 in our own lives, it should be very clear which "city" you are in: Exile, Wilderness, or on the Mountain top (glory season).  This verse is helpful in forming our mindset in the "city" we find ourselves in.  It can make the difference in whether we are to stay (and die) or to be delivered!  It gives focus to life and starts the wheel in heaven spinning on our behalf.  

Remember that the Israelites were in exile and now living among their enemy.  God was showing them how to survive by telling them to live life (:5-6), and seek peace.  He's instructing them to turn their eyes away from self and towards someone else.  Focus is what they are getting.   Instead of battling thoughts of condemnation, defeat, shame, anger, etc.  God is saying, seek peace in this place and pray for your enemy! 

There is so much power in praying for our enemy.  It is a tool, we as Believers rarely pick up. Jesus instructed us to, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, to show that you are the children of your Father Who is in heaven..." (Matthew 5:44&45b).  When we begin to pray for others in our "city" to prosper, we are sowing seeds of faith into heaven's soil on their behalf.  We are releasing the power of God into their situation and at the same time, opening a window to heaven in our heart.  Whatever we sow, we will reap (Gal 6:7)!  In some ways, this is one of those "mysteries" in the Kingdom of God.  It is a mystery that I have seen work! You can see it work too.

Why does it work?  It works because peace and prayer change things.  If you have peace, you're not being led by emotions or circumstance, but by the Spirit of God.  Jesus is the Prince of Peace!  God has not given us a spirit of fear (which can take many forms.  ie: worry and doubt) but power, love, and a sound (disciplined) mind (2Tim. 1:7)!  When we begin to seek peace, we are learning to draw on Christ and lean into God (Prov. 3:5-6).  By praying for others, our focus is outward and upward, rather than on our own wants and needs.  It takes us out of the realm of selfish ambition (which leads to sin) and into the realm of faith! When we can do all of this for our enemies, then we will quickly begin to understand the love and grace the Father has for us.  Inside, compassion begins to grow and we get a new perspective on the place where we are.

I want to very quickly show you how Jer. 29:7 might apply to the three different "cities" in life:

Exile: Let's face it,  Exile is a place surrounded by the enemy.  Sin has led one here and it is of utmost importance to begin to allow God INTO that "city".  Let's say your exile is jail (since that is an actual place one might be carried off to).  What can you do in jail to seek the peace and prosperity of the city?  You can begin by asking the Holy Spirit to show you the needs of those tending the jail.  If you ask, He will show you.  Maybe one of the guards is always grouchy, or someone there is a single mom.  Lift up THEIR needs to God and ask Him to bless them!  Or ask God to bless the judge that sentenced you there...get the picture?  At first, it may be more out of obedience that you pray and your prayer may be simple: God bless that guard...or Lord, please bless the judge that sent me here and protect his/her family.  But over time, it will become genuine and you will see a love grow in your heart for that person.  During this time frame, don't ask God to bless you.  Simply pray for those over you who are tending the "city" and see what happens! 

Wilderness: In the wilderness, I believe the peace is most important to find. Remember the wilderness is a place we are led into by the Lord and He has prepared this place for us.  If we understand that we're here to learn something and that it is for a season, then we can pray properly.  The enemy likes to go into the wilderness to deceive us into thinking that we are in exile.  Seeking the peace of the "city" may actually be praying that, the peace that passes all understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7)!  It can also be handing over those things which are out of your control (examples could be: surmounting medical bills or someone else not following God) over to God rather than continually worrying about them.  There are always others in the wilderness with you and praying for them to have that peace and provision will bring it into your life too.  Find someone going through a similar experience and begin to fast and pray for them and see what happens!

Mountain top: On the mountain top you have perspective of the other cities!  You can see the bigger picture, because you aren't "stuck" there.  Mountain top people are so important in helping those in the "valley" to get out.  When you see someone in one of these other places, encourage them, lift them up to the Father, and pray over them!  God just may use you to help them find the road out.  AVAILABILITY is the key when you're on the mountain.  Constantly asking God to use you to help others and for His heavenly "to-do-list" is a great way to start.

I hope this is helpful to you, whatever the address of your city is!  Let's get busy this week praying for the peace and prosperity of the city!