The Prayer in Exile is based on Jeremiah 29:4-7,10-14.
I believe we have all been in exile since The Garden of Eden and have all tried to make this world our home and cozy ever since, but this world is not our home. It’s not God’s best for us. We are being challenged to live exemplary lives that others might seek God and know him personally.
“Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they’ll be won over to God’s side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives.” 1 Peter 2:11-12 (MSG)
God has also decided to remain silent for a time. He desires our obedience more than our sacrifice.
Then Samuel said, “Do you think all God wants are sacrifices – empty rituals just for show? He wants you to listen to him! Plain listening is the thing, not staging a lavish religious production.” 1 Samuel 15:22 (MSG)
God wants us to be a blessing to our families, friends, church and communities where we are living now and as we desire to seek Him God will take us seriously, and speak, and move in ways we can never possibly imagine. Giving us a future and a hope that we dream and long for.
If you agree with the following words then I would encourage you to pray this prayer and put your faith into action…
“Dear Lord,
We believe it is Your will that You have sent us to Gateshead. While we are here help us to build houses for ourselves, to plant gardens and eat what we grow. To marry and to have children. To encourage our children to marry and to have children so that we’ll thrive in Gateshead and not waste away. To make ourselves at home, providing jobs and working for Gateshead’s welfare. Praying continually for Gateshead’s well-being. That if things go well for Gateshead, things will go well for us. At Your appointed time and not a day before, show up and take care of us and bring us back home. You know what you are doing. You have it all planned out, plans to take care of us, not to abandon us, plans to give us the future we hope for. When we call on You, when we come and pray to You, You’ll listen. When we come looking for You, we’ll find You. When we get serious about finding You and want it more than anything else, You’ll make sure we won’t be disappointed. You’ll turn things around for us. Bring us back from all the places into which You drove us, bringing us home to the place from which You sent us off into exile. We can count on it.
In Jesus Name, Amen”
