Strategy Update

Praying for Our Neighbourhoods

"But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare." (Jer 29:7 NRSV)

Multiple waves of forced exile took place for the inhabitants of Judah under the Babylonian Empire. In the face of this cultural humiliation, Jeremiah reminds God's people living in exile to live as an alternative community, modelled after Sinai.

And what is this alternative community to do?

To rage against the machine?

Nope.

To go with the flow?

Nope.

Instead, they are reminded to live as the alternative community of Sinai in exile.

To seek the flourishing of the place where they live and the people they live amongst. To pray and work for the best outcomes of all, not just for themselves and those like them, but even for their oppressors.

Empires, by their nature, assimilate, isolate, dominate, accumulate, and create uniformity. They don't love, they don't care, they extract.

The community modelled at Sinai, however, is called to be different. To care deeply, to act justly, to enact mercy and to respond personally.

Flourishing parishes don’t just pray for themselves; they pray for their streets, schools, and neighbours. They desire to see their local neighbourhood flourish.

How?

You could consider walking your neighbourhood, praying quietly as you go, praying for its flourishing and blessing.

As you drive to the shops or to work, you could offer up a quick prayer for your local neighbourhood and its needs.

Pray for the Schools, rest homes, businesses, and social services.

Pray for the isolated, the alienated, the vulnerable.

Pray for community leaders, civic leaders, and decision makers.

As you pray for local needs, you will discover that your eyes become increasingly focused on your neighbourhood, seeing specific needs that are more local.

As you embark on these prayer adventures as individuals or as a parish, I would love to hear about your experiences.

You can send them to me at graeme.brock@waiapu.com