Keys to a Peaceful Life

“And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace.” (Jeremiah 29:7, NKJV)

What is your community like? Is it a pleasant place to live? Do you feel safe and secure? Why did you choose to live there?

Most of us have a choice about where we will live. Sometimes a new job or other change of circumstance will bring about a move, and then we have decisions to make. Where can I find an affordable, well-kept, and friendly neighborhood? Is the area safe? Is the school district good? How convenient are the stores and services I will need? All these things are important, but covering our city with prayer is vital to peaceful, happy living.

The people of Judah did not have an option. They were forcibly removed from their homeland and relocated to a foreign land. After being taken captive by the Babylonian invaders, they were moved hundreds of miles and dropped into unfamiliar surroundings with a different language and culture.

How easy it would be to allow despair and defeat to consume them. But God instructed otherwise. It was time to get busy and carry on with life, He instructed. They were to build houses, plant gardens, and find spouses for their sons and daughters (Jeremiah 29:5-6). This was no short-term transplanting. God said they would remain in Babylon 70 years (verse 10). It was important that they increase, not diminish.

There was one more important element to successfully settling into their new surroundings. God charged them to pray for their new home in this unfamiliar land. He declared that when their city had peace, they would also experience peace. This is a sound principle that we should also adopt. To live in peace, we must pray for our community’s peace.

Lot, the nephew of Abraham, lived in Sodom by choice. We are told in II Peter 2:6-8 that the evil of that city vexed his righteous soul, yet, for whatever reason, he chose to continue living there. It was a costly choice. Although he did not adopt their wicked lifestyle, neither did he seem to influence them toward righteous living, even his future sons-in-law. I wonder if he ever prayed for Sodom and its wicked inhabitants. Or told them about his All-powerful, loving God. Was he the witness he could have been?

A more pertinent question is if we are the witnesses we should be? Are we covering our city in prayer? What things should we pray for?

Here are a few suggestions on ways to pray for our city, state or province, and nation.

• Pray to influence others toward righteous living. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21, NKJV).
• Pray for peace and prosperity not just locally but beyond (Jeremiah 29:7).
• Pray for the wicked to turn from his ways (Ezekiel 33:11).
• Pray for “all men to be saved, and come unto the knowledge of truth” (I Timothy 2:4).
• Pray for all who are in authority to make wise and godly decisions (I Timothy 2:1-2).
• Pray that all ethnicities, cultures, and diverse groups will live in peace and harmony (Romans 12:18).
• Pray for God to show you how to personally be an example of godliness within your community. “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” (Colossians 4:5-6, NKJV).

Will prayer make a difference? Yes, it will. James 5:16 assures us that “the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (NKJV).

Our communities need prayer. Our leaders need godly wisdom. Our nation needs a might move of God. Will you step forward and pray? You can make a difference.