"...and all will be well."
(Saint Walker is the Head Lantern of the Blue Lantern Corps from the Green Lantern comic series from DC comics)
~Rev. Wally Bear



New Job, New Opportunity

Read [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah%2029:1-7&version=NLT]Jeremiah 29:1-7[/url]

The Lord says, "Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare."
-Jeremiah 29:7 (NRSV)


AFTER losing my job, I knew I had to find new employment to provide for my wife and my son. I finally found a new job in our capital city, a large metropolitan area, which meant I would have to move from my small town to the big city.

At first, I felt I had been sent into exile. In huge traffic jams while taking the bus to work, I remembered my quiet, friendly, small town where I could go anywhere by bicycle.

Then I remembered the Israelites, who were taken into exile by the Babylonians to a foreign country. In the middle of their exile, they received a command from God to remain strong and faithful and to do good work. God told them to seek the welfare of their new city and to pray for the city and its people.

The Israelites' story gave me new insight. God wanted them to seek the welfare of the city where they had been exiled, so surely I could do the same. Anywhere I live I have an opportunity to be God's light of love and hope. And, like the Israelites, I can pray for my city and for the people who live in it.

Now as I ride the bus to work, I pray for other passengers, the driver, other people on the road. And I ask God to open the hearts of those who need to know Jesus Christ.

Bayu Probo (Jakarta, Indonesia)

Prayer
Loving God, strengthen us to seek the welfare of those around us. Help us to be faithful to all you ask of us. Amen.

Thought for the Day
Find out what you can do for your community this week -- and do it.

Prayer Focus
My city and its needs