Pray for the City Where You Are Planted: Finding Hope in Exile

By Fr. Wajid

“Pray for the City into which you are exiled” (Jeremiah 29:7b)

Being the followers of Jesus Christ, we christians are well aware that “prayer” is the

lifeline of our faith, a channel of communication with God. It is through prayer that

we align our hearts with God’s will, seek His guidance, and intercede for others. The

true believers are guided to pray in every situation and circumstances for all the

peoples, that is, for friends as well as for enemies, for acquaintances as well as for

strangers. For when we pray for our house, city, leaders, neighbors, and even for our

enemies, we invoke God’s presence among all of us. Prayer cultivates a spirit of

empathy and compassion, drawing us closer to God as well as to humanity.

In the scriptures, Old Testament and New Testament, the people of God are instructed

and guided to indulge in ceaseless prayers in all the circumstances even in

persecutions and exiles. One of the examples we can find in the book of prophet

Jeremiah, “Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper”

(Jeremiah 29:7b), where the people of Israel were forcibly taken from their homeland

and exiled to Babylon—a land of foreign customs and beliefs. In this unfamiliar and

hostile environment, instead of resisting or isolating themselves, and they were

unexpectedly instructed to seek the welfare of their captors’ city and pray for its

prosperity. Such directives, emphasized that their well being is intertwined with that

of their new surroundings. They were taught of the transmative powere of prayer, not

just for the individuals, but for the entire community, not just for friends but also for

the strnagers and even for the enemies and adversaries.

These instructions, though addressed to the Israelites in exile, hold timeless wisdom

for us as believers navigating our own challenges and uncertainties. In times of

adversities we are called to embody resilience, unity, and unwavering faith. For

example, as the Israelites faced adversity of loosing their homeland and the Temple

which held central place in their lives; the early church faced persecutions and

displacement, yet they remained steadfast and continued spreading the kingdom of

God. We too have faced, to certain level, the same challenges and uncertanities by the

loss of St. James cathedral. No doubt, the loss of the sacred space where we used

worship, celebrate, and mourn, can be deeply traumatic, but in this period of exile, the

foreign land which has become our new house for worship (Emmanuel), we are

invited to pray for the peace and prosperity of this place. In the New testament

believers are reminded that though physical structures are significant, but the true

essence of the church lies in its people. Jesus declared that where two or three gather

in His name, He is present among them (Matthew 18:20). This assurance encourages

us to continue our communal worship and mission of building the kingdom of God

here and now. He also assured us that when we ask, seek, and knock, our heavenly

Father responds (Matthew 7:7-8). In short, the Gospels are replete with teachings on

the power and necessity of persistent prayer.

Anyhow, when faced with challenges, we are called to persevere, adapt, and continue

our collective journey of faith. It’s an opportunity to come together as a community,

pooling resources, talents, and prayers. This process becomes a testament to our

collective faith and commitment. Throughout this journey, prayer remains our

foundation; seeking God’s guidance in planning, provision, and unity. Let us remain

steadfast in prayer, support one another, and trust in God’s unwavering faithfulness.