Why Pray for the Peace and Prosperity of the City? | Jeremiah 29:4-7 | Darien Gabriel
Series: "For the City" (Vision), Jeremiah 29:4-7 #FTC
Title: “Why pray for the peace and prosperity of the city?"
Subtitle: "Our plan for loving God and loving people in our city and beyond."
Scripture: Jeremiah 29:4-7; Mark 4:26-29; 1 Corinthians 3:6-9
Go: John 17:20; Luke 10:1-11
Gospel: Acts 17:32-34 (4 responses/traffic light)
Grow: Matthew 22:37-39; 28:18-20 + 411 + Commands of Christ
Gather: Acts 2:36-47 + Commands of Christ
3/3rds groups; DBS; Hi/Lo; Follow & Fish; etc.
Guide: (MAWL)
Bottom line: We pray for and seek the peace and prosperity for our city because it's God's missionary plan for loving God and loving people.
INTRODUCTION
CONTEXT
SERMON OUTLINE
CONCLUSION
NOTES
OUTLINES
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
MAIN REFERENCES USED
Opening prayer: Lord God, help us grow to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in him and leading others to do the same.
INTRODUCTION
I love coffee cups.
I don't drink coffee.
I know, I know, that's weird on multiple levels. Let me tell you how hopeless I am. I don't drink coffee (and hot chocolate on a little), but I love to shop for coffee cups.
Now, I do have a pet peeve about coffee cups. When we get our theology from coffee cups.
Coffee cup theology can be misleading. I mean, there's just no room for context on that shiny cup of ceramic goodness.
It's not like the coffee cup with Jeremiah 29:11 on it (“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” NIV) has room to say that Israel was told this by God while living in exile in the capital city of their arch enemy the Babylonians because they were spiritually unfaithful to him. Not sure that would sell well either.
Transition:
“Have you ever found yourself somewhere you didn’t want to be, facing a situation you didn’t choose?
That’s where the Israelites found themselves—exiled in Babylon. And yet, God speaks into their situation, not with an escape plan, but with a call to pray for and to seek the peace and prosperity of the place in which they’re stuck.”
Understanding Exile
Definition (Jeremiah 29 context):
In this passage, exile refers to the forced relocation of the people of Judah from Jerusalem to Babylon after its conquest by King Nebuchadnezzar in 597–586 BC. It wasn’t just geographic—it was spiritual, cultural, and emotional dislocation.
They were living among people who didn’t share their faith, customs, or values—a godless empire with strange idols and foreign tongues. Yet God didn’t say, “Escape.” He said, “Engage.”
Key insight:
Exile is not just displacement; it’s God’s discipline with a redemptive purpose.
It reminds us that home isn’t always where we are, but where God is.
OUTLINE
WHY we should pray for the peace and prosperity of our city:
Because the Lord told us to. (29:4) Our faith is that simple.
A. Either we trust and obey the Lord, or
B. We don't. To not trust and obey is sin.
Because it's part of God's way of rescuing his people from the kingdom of darkness.
He tells Israel to settle down and live their lives in the midst of their (and his) enemies. But to do it with an eye to the crowds (the harvest) and the clouds (his return) for their transformation. This requires prayer. Abiding in Christ.
The crowds, in this case, happen to be his enemies--the Babylonians.
The clouds, in this case, refer to the end of their exile in 70 years.
WHAT does this look like?
We "bloom where we're planted." We settle in to our circles of influence and accountability.
Influence--those circles of people we interact with where we live, work, learn and play.
Accountability--we will stand before God one day and answer for how we did or didn't do this; for how we led or didn't lead our family to do this.
God planted you at your address for a reason. For this season, you're to be Jesus to those around you there.
We multiply.
We build our career and homestead as if we're going to be here a while. For Israel, it was in the midst of their enemy, Babylon. For us, it is in America and in the midst of enemies of God. (29:5)
We build our family. (29:6)
This includes our biological family. (Kids, grandkids)
Can include extended family.
Can include adopted family. (Formally and not)
Certainly includes your spiritual/church family.
We do this until our "70 years" are over. Then we go home; back to Jerusalem/Zion. Cf. Revelation 21:1-8
We pray for the peace and prosperity of our city where we live, work, learn and play. (7)
We do this as we go about our lives.
Why?
Because it benefits us and our family tangibly.
Because it benefits us, and family and our world spiritually/eternally.
We do not believe those who live for other gods. (29:8-9)
We do this until he takes us home. This is his plan for us.
HOW we pray for the peace and prosperity of our city: "A Vision For the City: Jesus & Paul's Strategy Illustrated by 4 Fields of Kingdom Growth" (Optional)o
Go together:
John 17:20 - that we may be one as we pray and go into the city
Luke 10:1-11 - How Jesus trained his disciples to go:
Pray for workers for the harvest
Be a worker in the harvest
Be prepared to suffer in the harvest
Go empty-handed so you'll depend on the Lord
Look for people of peace; they unlock many more
Bless them and then receive what they offer
Heal the sick; proclaim the good news that the kingdom of God is near
Leave when not welcomed; tell them why you're moving on
Gospel: Acts 17:32-34 (4 responses)
Share the gospel wherever you go
Some will mock you--move on
Some will want to know more (or pretend to want to know more) - give them more
Some will trust Christ--give them more & train them up
Some will already know Christ--offer to train them up
Grow: Matthew 28:18-20 + 411 + Commands of Christ
Learn the words, ways and works of Jesus Christ
Lead others in the words...
Gather: Acts 2:36-47 + Commands of Christ - Shows us how to live as the church
3/3rds groups; DBS; Hi/Lo; Follow & Fish; etc.
A church does not have to look like what we see most visibly in America
It doesn't require a seminary degree
It doesn't require bricks and mortar
To say you follow Jesus but don't actively engage as a member of a church is not the NT way
Guide: (MAWL) We lead others to follow us as we follow Jesus by
Modeling for them
Assisting them
Watching them
Leaving them to do it and lead others to do it
CONCLUSION
Consider sharing the story of why Neal McGlohon started the Cypress Project here (see notes).
So the Lord Jesus calls his disciples to keep their eyes on the clouds and the crowds. Keep your eyes on the people you see where you live, work, learn and play each day. For he has you there on purpose for a purpose.
Also, keep your eyes on the clouds. For this is not all there is. This is not our home. Our home awaits us. Our exile in this world is temporary. We will go and stand before our Creator one day. And as his kids we'll be welcomed home with great zeal from our Lord and Savior.
However, if we do known him as Lord and Savior, we'll simply meet him as Lord. And that means we'll be forever separated from him. And that will be eternal misery.
But if you're here today, know that God has surrounded you with people who have their eyes on the crowds and the clouds. As we await his return to take us home, we are looking for opportunities to show and tell the good news about a great kingdom and exalted king. A king who forgives and blesses beyond anything we could ever deserve.
He calls you to himself right now. Will you believe and receive his mercy and grace today?
Bottom line: We pray for and seek the peace and prosperity for our city because it's God's missionary plan for loving God and loving people.
Will you believe apart of that plan?
INVITATION
What about you?
Peter puts it all in perspective in his first sermon:
““Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”” Acts 2:36-39 NIV
How do we respond? Answer 2 questions:
Take out a card or piece of paper right now. Write down the answer to these questions:
What is God saying to me right now?
What am I going to do about it? Write this down on a sheet of paper.
What I hear you saying, Lord, is ___________________.
[my name] is going to believe/do __________________________________________________ as a result.
Finally, share this with your Home or Mission group this week when you gather as a testimony about what God is doing in your life. You don’t have to get too specific to give him praise.
Lord's Supper, 1 Cor 11:23-26 is good passage.
Also, say something like, "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again." (past, present, and future)
Pray
NOTES
🎯The Context of the Babylonian Exile (Jeremiah 29)
📜When and Why It Happened
The Babylonian Exile occurred in stages (605, 597, and 586 BC) as Babylon defeated Judah and deported its people.
The first wave included nobles, artisans, and young elites (like Daniel and his friends, cf. Daniel 1).
The final blow came in 586 BC with the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple.
🏘️Where and How They Lived in Babylon
🟢Freedoms:
The Jewish exiles were not slaves in chains or in prison camps. They lived under imperial control, but with considerable day-to-day freedom:
Area
Reality in Babylon
Housing
They could build and live in their own houses (Jer. 29:5).
Families
They were allowed to marry and have children (Jer. 29:6).
Work & Trade
Many became landowners, traders, and craftsmen. Archaeological records (like the Murashu Tablets) show Jewish names doing business.
Travel
Travel was limited but not impossible. They were not “locked down” but couldn’t return freely to Judah.
Religion
They couldn’t offer sacrifices (no temple), but they could gather, pray, teach Torah (e.g., synagogues emerged in exile).
Civic Engagement
God even told them to pray for Babylon’s peace—suggesting participation in civic life (Jer. 29:7).
It was forced relocation, not slave labor—more like deported citizens under imperial rule with monitored freedoms.
🧑🤝🧑Did They Live Mixed or Separate?
Many Jewish exiles lived in Jewish communities, but not in ghettos or prison camps.
For example, they settled in areas like Tel Abib along the Chebar Canal (cf. Ezekiel 1:1–3).
They had elders and leaders (Jer. 29:1) and maintained internal governance to some degree.
Some assimilated; others remained faithful (like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego).
They were among the people, not of the people—able to engage but called to remain distinct.
💰Economy & Taxes
They worked in agriculture, commerce, banking, and crafts.
Some became quite wealthy—suggesting they paid taxes like any other imperial subject.
Babylon benefited economically from the skills of exiled peoples (including Jews).
✈️Could They Travel?
Return to Judah was forbidden without imperial permission (hence Jeremiah’s promise of 70 years in exile).
Local movement within Babylon was possible—people could travel for work, trade, or community gatherings.
Travel to other provinces of the empire was probably limited and required authorization.
📚Supporting Sources
The Bible
Jeremiah 29, Ezekiel 1–3, Daniel 1–6, Psalm 137 (emotional view), 2 Kings 24–25
Archaeology & History
The Murashu Archive: Babylonian business tablets with Jewish names, showing participation in economic life.
Al-Yahudu Tablets: Letters and contracts involving Jewish families in Babylon during and after exile.
Jewish Tradition
This period birthed synagogue life, oral Torah emphasis, and eventually the Talmudic tradition—spiritual roots planted in exile.
🧠 Summary: Life in Exile Was…
Disorienting (loss of temple, land, national identity)
Restrained, but not enslaved
Culturally pressured, but with space to remain faithful
Economically active, not destitute
A test of faithful presence in a foreign world
OUTLINE
See above
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
What do I want them to know?
Why do I want them to know it?
What do I want them to do?
Why do I want them to do it?
How do they do this?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Discovery Bible Study process: https://www.dbsguide.org/
Read the passage together.
Retell the story in your own words.
Discovery the story
What does this story tell me about God?
What does this story tell me about people?
If this is really true, what should I do?
What is God saying to you right now? (Write this down)
What are you going to do about it? (Write this down)
Who am I going to tell about this?
Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast
Alternate Discussion Questions (by Jeff Vanderstelt): Based on this passage:
Who is God?
What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?
Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)
What do I do? (In light of who I am)
How do I do it?
Final Questions (Write this down)
What is God saying to you right now?
What are you going to do about it?
MAIN REFERENCES USED
“John,” by R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes
Exalting Jesus in John, by Matt Carter & Josh Wredberg
The Gospels & Epistles of John, FF Bruce
John, RC Sproul
John, Köstenberger
The Gospel According to John, DA Carson
Let's Study John, Mark Johnston
The Light Has Come, Leslie Newbigin (TLHC)
The Visual Word, Patrick Schreiner (TVW)
“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)
“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)
“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)
Thru The Bible with J. Vernon McGee (TTB)
Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)
NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/
Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)
ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org
The Bible Project https://bibleproject.com
Nicky Gumbel bible reading plan app or via YouVersion
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Google Gemini AI