Jeremiah 29:4,7
Thus says the LORD of hosts, ….’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.
OUTLINE: Jesus calls us to love our neighbours and we’re often good at doing this through our many acts of simple, tangible service as Christians within our local communities. These are all wonderful, but another valuable way that we can love our neighbours is by praying for them. It’s a way that is open to all of us, whatever our capacity. Both acts of service and prayer spread the love of Jesus. What greater an honour is ours than to spread that love!
PRAYER:
Lord of light, I pray that unity may prevail in all of the communities of Southampton. I especially pray for unity within my own community (name your community). Help me personally to be an instrument of your peace and the spreading of your love here. Help Christians together in our city to lead the way and to cooperate well in resolving the issues that affect us all. Amen.
We especially commend to your prayers family life, relationships between neighbours, the safety of our communities, that local poverty and loneliness would be alleviated and racial tensions and other forms of discrimination eased, & that there would be an end to homelessness. We invite you to pray for your immediate neighbours by name – find out their names if you don’t already know them.