PRAY for the PLACE WHERE GOD HAS PLANTED YOU —

Seek the Peace of the Community

Pastor Calvin Cook

Day 6 of 30 — September 14, 2026

Praying for Our Communities

“Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” — Jeremiah 29:7

As we begin the next five days of praying, our attention moves toward our communities—the places where God has planted us.

For me in Pastoral ministry, that includes Kane, East Kane, Mt. Jewett, Hazel Hurst, and the communities throughout our region. For you, it may be the town where you were born or a place you never expected to call home. But please know this and scripture is very clear that the place where we are is the place that we are suppose to be for Jesus.

For each of us, this means praying for the community where God has placed us—whether it has always been home or is somewhere we never expected to be.

In this brief glimpse of the scripture from Jeremiah are words written to people living somewhere they did not want to be. The Israelites had been carried into exile in Babylon. They were far from home, surrounded by unfamiliar customs, and living among people they might have considered enemies.

We might expect God to tell them to separate themselves and wait for the day they could leave. Instead, God told them to build houses, plant gardens, raise families, and seek the peace and prosperity of the city.  I have often called this “changing the atmosphere”.

One of the interesting parts of this scripture is that Jeremiah told them to pray for it. God was saying, “While you are there, live faithfully. Care about what happens around you. Pray for the people and seek the well-being of the place where you live.”

The word translated as “peace” is also shalom— which also means being whole,  safe, healthy, in harmony, and flourishing. God was calling His people to seek more than the absence of conflict. He wanted them to pray and work for a community in which lives could be made whole. God was desiring through the Israelites to change the atmosphere the surroundings, the feelings of those who were oppressed into something beautiful for God’s purpose.

It is easy to criticize our communities. We can name what is broken: addiction, poverty, loneliness, struggling families, closed businesses, division, hopelessness, and people who no longer believe that life can become better.

But God has not called us merely to point out what is wrong. He has called us to pray—and then to become willing participants in His work of restoration.

Pray for your local officials, whether you agree with them or not. Pray for teachers, students, school staff, police officers, firefighters, emergency workers, medical professionals, business owners, pastors, and community volunteers.

Pray for the family whose struggles remain hidden behind a closed door. Pray for the lonely person who believes no one notices. Pray for young people wondering whether their lives have meaning. Pray for those searching for hope in places that cannot provide it.

There is evil invading and trying to take possession of every community throughout the world. This evil will not win unless we allow it. Unless we idly stand by and gripe but never do anything about it. With the first defense being prayer. Pray for the spiritual health of the community. Ask God to awaken hearts, restore families, renew churches, raise up faithful leaders, and bring people into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.

Seeking the peace of a community also requires us to ask a personal question:

Why has God planted me here?

Perhaps God has placed you in your neighborhood to become a faithful presence. Maybe someone needs your encouragement, your listening ear, your experience, or your willingness to serve. God may answer your prayer for the community by asking you to take a faithful next step. Do you know your neighbor?

Prayer is not an escape from responsibility. Prayer brings us into fellowship with God so that He can show us how to participate in what He is doing.

Our communities do not need churches that stand at a distance and describe their problems. They need followers of Jesus who will walk the streets, learn people’s names, listen to their stories, pray with compassion, and serve with humility.

The peace of our communities matters to God. Therefore, it must matter to us.

Prayer: Lord God, thank You for the community in which You have planted me. Today, I pray for its peace, well-being, and spiritual health. Protect our children. Strengthen families. Encourage those who are lonely or discouraged. Give wisdom to our leaders and courage to those who serve. Bring healing where there is brokenness and hope where there is despair.

Revive Your Church and awaken hearts to the love of Jesus. Show me why You have placed me here and how I can become part of Your answer.

Let Your peace begin within me and flow through me into the place I call home. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Today’s prayer step: It is time to take a walk or drive through part of your community today. Pray for the homes, schools, churches, businesses, and people you pass. Ask God, “Why have You planted me here, and what is my next faithful step?”

Hope to see you out walking and praying today —