Today’s scripture: Jeremiah 29:7
And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace.
In 2005, after travelling through Africa looking for business opportunities, Australian entrepreneur Steve Killelea became discouraged. It had become apparent to him that, while there were plenty of ways to measure how violent a country was, there were no such measures of how peaceful a country was. So he decided to create the Global Peace Index. Today, the GPI measures 144 nations based on 23 indicators of the existence or absence of peace both within and outside a country’s borders. The indicators use quantitative and qualitative data from the World Bank, various U.N. offices and Peace Institutes, and the Economist Intelligence Unit and are divided into three categories: five measures of ongoing domestic and international conflict, 10 measures of safety and security in society, and eight measures of militarisation. Why is this important? Killelea argues that there is a strong correlation between prosperity and peace.
Prosperity, however divine, often happens within a context. Individual prosperity cannot exist securely amidst widespread turmoil. No matter how wealthy we are, we cannot enjoy or grow our wealth if our country of residence breaks down politically and otherwise. This is why the peace and stability of a region often plays a critical role in attracting foreign direct investment. Nobody wants to put their money down in a nation at war or on the verge of it. So in a sense, our continued prosperity on earth is somewhat tied to the continued peace and prosperity of our country.
So do you not think you ought to take out more time to intercede for your country? It would be delusional to think you can ignore the travails of your country and just go on enjoying your wealth and the pursuit of more. The truth is, you need your country to work. God expects you to pray for the peace and prosperity of the land you are in. It is for such a time as this you have been called. Go down on your knees now and pray for your country. You ignore her travails to your own detriment.
It is time for you to commit yourself in prayers and in works to the overall wellbeing of your dear nation. God will keep your country in peace and prosperity; God will keep you in peace and prosperity, in Jesus’ name.
Memorise & Meditate:
“If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
Prayer/ Confession:
Father, today I pray for my country… (mention the name). I ask that You give our leaders the Spirit of wisdom and fear of God. Cause our land to prosper, O Lord. Let it continually be well within our borders and let us prosper individually within her walls, in Jesus’ name
