Promote the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because your future depends on its welfare.
MATTHEW 21:10 (CEB)
And when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up. “Who is this?” they asked.
SUMMARY SENTENCE
It behoves us to pursue the wellbeing of even our enemies.
DAILY FODDER
Jesus said that we should love and pray for our enemies. But why would God tell the captured Hebrews to promote the welfare of the people who had taken them into exile? Isn't that traitorous? Or is there some other reason?
PRAYER
Merciful God, I'm grateful for the way you treat me, even when I don’t treat you so well. Help me to embrace your approach to grace and mercy so that I can freely seek the wellbeing of those who dislike me. I'm going to look at my enemies in a whole new way. Amen.
Our Father in Heaven,
we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
so that everything that happens here will align
with what is happening in heaven.
Give us enough food for today.
Forgive us our wrongdoing,
and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you would protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.
and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you would protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.
