Preparing our Hearts to Worship
In an effort to help you prepare for the February 16, 2020, Sunday morning corporate worship gathering and to aid you in your own reflections on The Bible and Government. I wanted to pose a few questions and provide a few resources to prayerfully consider over the coming days. Our sermon is entitled, “Seek the welfare of the city where you live”. The main Scripture for the day is Jeremiah 29:1-9
(Pick and choose from the many resources and options, which I have tried to make available for your devotional life.)
From the Scriptures
Please read through these passages: Jer 29:1, 4-9, Mk 10:32-45, Acts 24:24-25, 2Tim 2:25, 1Pt 2:9-10, Heb 12:28-29.
From the Creeds and Confessions
The Barmen Declaration
From the songs, hymns and spiritual songs of the Church
God the Omnipotent, King who ordaineth: Lyrics, Video
Christ by heavenly hosts adored: Lyrics, Video
God of this city (Tomlin): Lyrics, Video
Seek the welfare of the city (Goreham): Lyrics, Video
For Thoughtful Reflection, Prayer, or further Study
Watch and reflect upon The Bible Project’s Jeremiah.
Read and reflect upon Philip Ryken’s words about Praying for the City
“Pray for peace in Jerusalem:
“Prosperity to your houses!
Peace inside your city walls!
Prosperity to your palaces!”
Since all are my brothers and friends,
I say, “Peace be with you!”
Since Yahweh our God lives here,
I pray for your happiness
(Psalm 122:6–9, Jerusalem Bible)
The language of Jeremiah 29:7 echoes the vocabulary of Psalm 122. The people of God had long prayed for the peace and prosperity of Jerusalem. But when they went into exile, he commanded them to use the same liturgy for Babylon.
The same prayer should be offered for the post-Christian city. Notice four things to pray for.236 First, pray for the economy of the city (“Prosperity to your houses!”). Pray for the “common wealth” of the city, asking God to bring justice to the poor and prosperity for everyone within the economic systems of the city.
Second, pray for the safety of the city (“Peace inside your city walls!”). Pray that citizens will be kept safe from harm and violence on the streets. And pray that criminals themselves will be transformed by the love of Christ.
Third, pray for the politics of the city (“Prosperity to your palaces!”). Ask the Lord to grant wisdom and integrity to the authorities who govern the city. Pray for the restoration of virtue to public office.
Fourth, pray for the people of the city (“Peace be with you!”). Pray for the Lord’s blessing on all people and all people groups in the city. Pray neighborhood by neighborhood, church by church, business by business, and house by house for the welfare of the city.” [Philip Graham Ryken, Jeremiah and Lamentations: From Sorrow to Hope, ed. R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word. Accordance electronic ed. (Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2001), 416.
The Sermon will be available online on February 16, 2020 at 12:30 pm.
Disclaimer: Reference to a particular article or website does not constitute endorsement or agreement with everything in that article or on that website.
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