Jeremiah 29:7 has me stumped! I love the verse for its sentiment and I’ve shared it before to encourage us to accept this fallen world for what it is—a place of exile. Our true home is heaven and earth is the place we travel to get there.
“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.”
My place of exile is the United States of America, specifically New Jersey. Jeremiah counsels exiles to make themselves at home in their foreign land and to pray for the place they live. The blessing in doing so is that as our country prospers, we will prosper.
But how do I pray? What words do I use? I look to Jeremiah for guidance and pray for the peace and prosperity of America and our greater area of exile, the world.
If lawn signs are any indication, I see an increasing number that ask passersby to pray for peace. Again, how does this translate? The warring factions in Africa, gangs in South America, and Middle eastern terrorist organizations seem obvious, but while I’m praying for the peace of Jerusalem, my neighbor is praying for Palestine. And which fractious political candidate will advance peace in our country, and at what price?
I pray for God’s peace and presence in whichever crisis brings me to my knees. Lord, may your name and reality be known and honored. May the people of every nation experience the inner peace and satisfied heart you alone give. Let the world come to know your love.
And prosperity? In America, renowned to be the most prosperous country? Lord, bless our land with prosperity for all—the farmers, the miners, the construction workers, the developers of housing and technology, the families on welfare, the unemployed, the business that provide jobs, manufacturers, preachers, teachers. May we prosper in truth, expose dark plans and ideologies, and love the people you created in your image.
I’m still looking for clarity and would love to hear your thoughts about this. Thank you for allowing me to ramble and work through this dilemma with you!
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Finding Hope, 65 Meditations for a Broken Heart
BARBARA HIGBY 
Hi Barbara, I’ve never seen that scripture before! After reading the chapter, my thought is that this is a specific command by God for the Israelites for their specific situation – wisdom on how to ‘survive’ their 70-year captivity. I don’t necessarily see it as a command to mankind in general. Thank you for asking my thoughts— I’m sure there are many others! 🙂
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Thank you, Kathy. I agree it was specific to the Israelites in captivity, but I also see it as a principle for life. I tend to push against the goads when the Lord is telling me to “Be still” and know that He is God and has all things in His hands. For me it’s a matter of trust in all the challenges of this world in exile. I can’t wait for our homecoming!
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