CITY MOTIVATORS

 Here is the eighth of a series that I hope will be an encouragement to those who have a 'city focus'.. Pray for the Nation (also known as Intercessors for New Zealand). was started by Brian Caughley in January 1972, after receiving a word from God to call Christians to ‘Pray for the Nation’.    

City Motivators for City Lovers: EIGHT

Praying for our Cities: by Brian Caughley . . Coordinator: Pray for the Nation

Isn’t it amazing! – When the Jews were taken by force, and exiled for 70 years to Babylon, (a pagan city), God said, “Seek the welfare of the city ...”  “Seek the welfare of the city [Babylon!] where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare...” (Jeremiah29:7)  “For surely I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD, “plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.”  (Jeremiah 29:11)

It’s interesting to noticethe city emphasis throughout Scripture. Paul wrote to the church (singular) in 7 cities: Rome, Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, Colossae, Thessalonica. Galatia was actually a region (capital Ancyra, now called Ankara, capital of Turkey). Hence Paul addressed his letter to the churches (plural, not singular) in Galatia. Galatia had 7 main cities: Antioch, Lystra, Iconium, Perga, Derbe, Attalia, Ancrya.                                                  

Paul went city by city to the first six of these cities, to encourage the Christians and share the Gospel with Jews and Gentiles. He also ministered in many other cities and regions. See Acts, and:  https://www.biblestudy.org/maps/apostle-paul-all-cities-visited-large-map.html

It’s also interesting to note that God told John the Apostle, imprisoned on the island of Patmos, to write a letter, Revelation 1:1-3, to 7 churches in 7 cities in ‘Asia’ (now Turkey): Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea.

John had insight into what God was saying to these seven churches, in seven cities, in today’s Turkey. Each church was different, and each church received a different message that was applicable to them: a specific word from Jesus to the church in each city – its leaders, and its people, in that city. Each church read about what God was saying to their church, and also to the other six! Revelation, insight, accountability, and challenge. God revealed His will for them; His blessings if they obeyed, and His warnings if they disobeyed.

There are 3 major themes in each of the messages, each revealing God’s will for them:        

1. What God saw that was pleasing to Him.

2. What God saw that was displeasing to Him.

3. What God told them to do – and the rewards for obedience, and consequences of disobedience.

The messages in Revelation 2 and 3 all end with the same invitation: “Let those who have ears to hear, hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.” In New Zealand, 86% of our people live in urban areas. If about 10% of them are Christians, then there is a huge mission field in our cities – about 4 million people who don’t know the Lord and follow His ways.  1. What would God see, and say, to the church in our city/community? 2. What needs to change in the church in our city? 3. What should the church in our city be doing?

Somethings to pray for:

1. Unity between church leaders, pastors, elders etc., both within a local church, and

2. the churches in their city/town and community.

3. Our churches, leaders’ meetings, prayer meetings, fellowship times and in homes.

4. Our city’s leaders. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

5. Everything that fights against God’s people, the Church, and churches within our city or town; pray for God’s victory!

Pray for the Nation

 https://www.pray-for-the-nation.org/

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