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Work And Pray

How would I feel if someone forcibly carried me away from my home to their country as a slave?


Not happy is an understatement. Would I pray for them? Yes. That God would punish them. Would I pray for them to have peace and prosper?

No. Definitely not!


I haven't thought about the fact that should there be war or famine among them, I'd be affected because I live there too. And should things be good there, I'll enjoy (a little bit) because I'm there.


But my beastly human nature says, "I don't care if I'm affected too. Let them suffer as they made me suffer". But how would it help me? Would suffering first in my homeland and later in my land of captivity help me? No.


When the Israelites were carried away captive to Babylon, this is what God told them:

"Work to see that the city where I sent you as exiles enjoys peace and prosperity. Pray to the LORD for it. For as it prospers you will prosper." (Her 29:7, NET).


Now if God asked slaves to pray for the peace of a strange land, what about us who live in our own country?When will we pray for our country and its leaders and work towards its prosperity?


When will we pray for our workplace, its leaders and colleagues and work to prosper it?


When will we pray for our families and relatives and work to make it better?


When will we pray for our church and leaders and work to make it better?


Tears and complaints do nothing. Only prayer works

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