God is the Master Builder of My City

1. Local Government

Key Scripture:

‘First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.’ (1 Timothy 2:1-2, ESV)

Thoughts:

As a young man I was deeply political and held very entrenched views. I would not have had any interest in behaving like the Scripture above suggests. At the time my writing and research was strongly ideological and I spent a lot of time discussing 'matters' with quite radical, politically motivated staff. When I look back now, I can see how my political beliefs changed before I became a Christian, but more significantly how my attitude towards such things as local and national government have shifted since I have come to understand God's Kingdom.

Praise the Lord that God is sovereign over governors and leaders! In fact, having a governing authority was God's idea. It is He who appoints the rulers – even the ones who are not Christians or who we strongly disagree with. God has appointed their rule and He has done so for His divine purpose. For this very reason it is our duty to pray for the people in authority, that they are used by God to achieve His ends and that they make wise decisions.

While the political world may seem a bit frightening at the moment, and local government reflects the world scene, we have no cause to fear for the Lord already knows who He will put in place to rule our country and the regions. We should live obediently to the Word of God and seek to glorify Christ in all things. Your personal views may (or may not) change, but the key in the Christian life is to follow the Lord in all things.

‘For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil but use it as bondslaves of God. Honour all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honour the king.’ (1 Peter 2:15-17)

Reflections:

• Am I focussed on what the Lord wants for my life and those in my community?
• Am I allowing my personal points of view to detract from what the Lord wants me to do for my family and my community?
• Am I allowing my 'likes' and 'dislikes' to stop me thinking in a godly manner?

Prayer Points:

• Pray for the people in authority in our local area, that the Lord would bring them wisdom and strengthen their mental health when making big and difficult decisions.
• Pray that local communities are positively supported to meet the needs of local people in our current challenging circumstances.
• Pray that church finds favour with the local authorities so that we have the resources we need (including a new building) to meet the needs of the communities in Leicester.

Further Scriptures:

Proverbs 21:1; Daniel 2:21; Psalm 29:10; Romans 13:3; 1 Peter 2:13-14; Titus 3:1; Romans 13:1; Romans 13:2; 1 Peter 2:13; Colossians 3:23-24

2. Schools

Key Scripture:

‘Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.’ (Proverbs 22:6, ESV)

Thoughts:

A book I often refer to speaks about a ‘toxic childhood’ and says that the modern world does our young people no favours. It talks of:

• The decline of outdoor play: less independence, risk taking and self-reliance.
• The commercialisation of childhood: exploited by advertisers/early consumerism.
• The 'schoolification' of early childhood: loss of learning by play and independence.
• The decline of listening and communication skills: from shorter attention spans.
• Screen saturation: reducing face-to-face interaction.
• Testing and targets: increases anxiety among children.

Observing young people growing up this would appear to be true, and this is something that pupils have to live with and educators have to contend with. All parents can play their part in offering their children a life which contends with these things and offers young minds an alternative.

The Christian parent, though, needs to consider the spiritual well-being of their young people. Schools are a place where 'British values' are expected to be taught, but this is in no way linked to 'Christian values'. As Christians, parents or not, we need to pray that our young children are not influenced by the system the world puts upon schools. In the current time, teachers are reacting to changing demands driven by a secular culture and the demands of a pandemic. Their response to some questionable directions that are being imposed is critical to the future well-being of our children. As Christians we need to support the teachers in our schools with kindness, encouragement and a gentle prompt towards where their moral compass should be.

Reflections:

• Am I aware of what is happening with legislation changes that are being imposed upon schools which are not godly?
• Do I support my children (or other children in church) by instilling the truth of God in them though my words and deeds?
• Do I support the young people in church in my prayer life?

Prayer Points:

• Pray that the governing authorities take heed of the needs of Christians when developing legislation for schools.
• Pray that teachers and senior staff are touched with wisdom by the Spirit of God about how they implement sensitive new school materials.
• Pray that our children are strengthened by their parents and the work of the church in JC and Ignite to stand firm in their beliefs, draw closer to the Lord and are not confused by what the world tries to teach them.

Further Scriptures:

Proverbs 1:8; Ecclesiastes 7:19; Proverbs 4:13; Colossians 1:28; Proverbs 9:10; Proverbs 4:6-7; Acts 7:22; 1 Kings 3:12

3. Healthcare

Key Scripture:

‘A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.’ (Proverbs 27:12, NLT)

Thoughts:

Although Scripture does not directly talk about healthcare, there are definitely many biblical principles that we can follow regarding this topic. Health is important to the Lord and it is essential for a healthy walk with Christ. Remember that God created us body, soul and spirit, and when Jesus died, He died for our body, soul and spirit.

Remember everything God makes has a purpose. It is easy to forget that our bodies are made by God and maintained by us to enable us to carry out His plan until that health is threatened or your very life is at risk. At times like this, how we have looked after ourselves comes into sharp focus and we see in full clarity the work of people in the health system.

My father’s recent close call with death highlighted both of these things to me: firstly, the incredible care and high-quality medical procedures he received, which have been of such a high standard; but also the feedback that one of the key things that got him through was the high level of fitness he had when he became seriously ill. It was clear that his future health was heavily dependent on the lifestyle he led. I believe all the prayer support lifted towards our God, the ultimate healer, was also critically important!

Reflections:

• Do you look after your own physical health?
• Do you eat and nourish your body appropriately?
• Do you build exercise, such as walking, into your daily routine as a minimum?
• Do you seek your doctor’s advice in a timely way or bury your concerns?

Prayer Points:

• Pray that the Lord will give you the wisdom and self-control to eat, drink and exercise in a positive manner for your future health.
• Pray that the Lord will give you the strength to overcome temptations which may be damaging to your physical and mental health.
• Pray for staff in healthcare settings that the Lord will bring them wisdom in their work and they will be open to the Gospel.

Further Scriptures:

Proverbs 6:6-8; Proverbs 14:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Luke 21:34; Luke 10:34; Matthew 9:12; Colossians 4:14; Genesis 50:2; 2 Chronicles 16:12

4. Law Enforcement

Key Scripture:

Justice is a joy to the godly, but it terrifies evildoers. (Proverbs 21:15, NLT)

Thoughts:

In April 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. led a march against racial segregation in the US that would ultimately result in his imprisonment in a jail in Birmingham, Alabama. From his jail cell, he wrote a letter articulating his desire to uphold the law, not to defy it, and added, ‘I am in Birmingham because injustice is here… I cannot sit idly by in Atlanta and not be concerned about what happens in Birmingham. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.’ The simplicity of that statement reminds us that it is not law enforcement that we should fear, but injustice.

God loves justice. He is just, righteous, and fair in all He does. Time and time again, God encouraged His people to 'administer true justice' (Zechariah 7:9), to act justly (Micah 6:8), and to seek justice (Isaiah 1:17). Throughout Scripture, we see God's heart moved by the defenceless, the oppressed and the innocent who were falsely accused. God cares deeply about injustice. As we align our hearts with God more and more, we too should have a stronger desire for justice and be moved more and more deeply by injustice. As Proverbs reminds us, 'justice is a joy to the godly'.

Our justice system certainly appears flawed at times. We don't have to look too far to find instances of injustice and inequality, but that doesn't mean that we should abandon the courts and law enforcement agencies altogether, nor does it mean that we should disrespect or dishonour the authority that God has set in place. Rather, we are to honour the authority that God has set in place and uphold justice. God set the legal and justice system in place 'for our good' (Romans 13:4).

Reflections:

• Do we honour those in authority?
• Do we uphold the laws of the land?
• Are we just in how we deal with other people, or do we accuse quickly, jump to conclusions or withhold mercy when it is due?
• How deeply are we moved by injustice?

Prayer Points:

• Pray that those who work for law enforcement agencies would act with justice and integrity. Recognise that they have complex and difficult jobs.
• Pray for the lawyers, judiciary and appeal courts, that they would administer true justice.
• Pray for those who serve as police officers, prison officers, probation officers, youth offending workers and lawyers, that God would bless and guide them in their work, giving them wisdom and discernment.
• Pray for the innocent and the falsely accused, that they would find justice.
• Pray that in our daily actions and decisions we too act justly and honour those in authority.

Further Scriptures:

Psalm 37:28; Romans 13:1-5; Proverbs 18:5; Proverbs 31:8

5. Businesses

Key Scripture:

But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today. (Deuteronomy 8:18, NIV)

Thoughts:

John D. Rockefeller was an American businessman and philanthropist who rapidly achieved success in the oil industry nearly a century ago. His net worth was believed to be nearly $1 billion in 1913 ($26 billion today). When he left the business world, he gave away millions of pounds to charitable causes and helped establish the University of Chicago, Rockefeller University and the Rockefeller Foundation. Despite his immense wealth, he remarked: 'If your only goal is to become rich, you will never achieve it.'

There is no shortage of resources on how to start a business, but many are predicated on a vision of success that celebrates the accumulation of wealth, on the temporary and superficial. Jesus told the parable of the rich fool who earned a good crop, tore down his barns to build bigger barns and determined to 'take life easy, eat, drink and be merry' (Luke 12:16-21). The parable ends with the life of the rich fool being taken from him and the lesson that 'this is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich towards God.'

Our businesses should have a higher purpose that the accumulation of wealth and possessions. God's desire is that they would be places where business affairs are conducted with honesty, integrity, excellence, fairness, and righteousness. This applies not only to business plans, practices, and decisions, but more crucially to relationships – how workers, clients, customers, partners, shareholders and trustees are treated. For those who own or lead a business, God promises to guide those who commit and trust their ways to Him. For those who work for others, God requires that we work willingly as though working to Him and honour those who are in authority over us, knowing that God sees our faithfulness.

Reflections:

• Do we work willingly in our jobs, even if it's not quite what we hoped it might or could be?
• Do we serve those at work eagerly and in ways that reveal more of God?
• Are we motivated primarily by the pursuit of wealth or by being rich towards God?
• Do we build our businesses to ultimately help build the church?
• Do we look for ways to give towards others?

Prayer Points:

• Pray for the growth and prosperity of those with businesses within the church and within our city.
• Pray for the wisdom of those who own and lead businesses, that they may be able to discern the times and seasons and how to build their businesses.
• Pray that God will provide a job for those in need.

Further Scriptures:

Proverbs 16:3; Colossians 3:23; Proverbs 22:29; Colossians 4:1; Proverbs 11:3; Proverbs 14:23

6. Communities

Key Scripture:

‘Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.’ (Jeremiah 29:5-7, NIV)

Thoughts:

In Jeremiah 29, the Israelites had been taken from Jerusalem to a place of exile in Babylon. They were many miles away from everything familiar, yet God told them to seek the peace of the prosperity of the city, to increase, to expand their family and relationships, to plant, to settle, to build. It might not have been their plan to be suddenly moved to an unknown place, but it was God's plan. In fact, He later reminded them that He knew 'the good plans He had for them' (Jeremiah 29:11). As they sought and prayed for the good of the city they now found themselves in, God promised that they would prosper. When we honour the place of God's planting, He honours us. As Dick Iverson would remind us, you can't reach a city (or community) you don't love.

Wherever you find yourself – whether it is a place of your choosing or not, whether you've never felt so at home or never felt so far away from home – God has planted you there for such a time as this. He has planted you there for a purpose. You are in your community to touch the people around you. Only you have the neighbours you have. Only you encounter the specific people you do on the school run or on the work commute (or online if you're working from home!). You have specific places and routines that only you keep, but that bring you into contact with people who need to know that they are loved by a Mighty God. If you are willing, God can use you to build your community, to help the lonely find a church family, to help the poor and needy, and to speak to others about Christ.

Reflections:

• Are there specific individuals or families within your community who you can speak to, encourage, pray for, or give to?
• Do you regularly look for ways to help those in your community?
• Are there lonely people around you who need to know that God sees them and loves them?
• Do you love the place where God has planted you? Or do you always feel dissatisfied, either longing for a place you've left behind or for something that you don't yet have?

Prayer Points:

• Pray for wisdom, discernment and God-given opportunities to show God's love to those around you.
• Pray for a deeper love for the community where God has planted you.
• Pray for the peace and prosperity of our communities.

Further Scriptures:

Matthew 5:16; Hebrews 10:24; Proverbs 19:17; Deuteronomy 15:11; Romans 15:16

7. Colleges & Universities

Key Scripture:

Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king's service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility— young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king's palace… But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way… To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. (Daniel 1:3-17, NIV)

Thoughts:

Throughout the Bible we see examples of many different occupations: farmers, builders, doctors, pharmacists, tax collectors, military men, tent makers, seamstresses, bakers, teachers, cooks, embroiders, fashion designers, businessmen, fishermen, bankers, musicians, lawyers, and – as in Daniel's case – students and scholars.

At different times throughout the history of God's people, those who were skilled in their craft, who were dedicated to their vocation, or who showed an 'aptitude for learning' were called upon. In Exodus 35, those whom God had given 'special skills' and who excelled at that craft were required to build the tabernacle. Daniel was a bright, able and intelligent student, but God also gave him wisdom, discernment, and knowledge. Note, that in both Exodus 35 and Daniel 1, God gave the talent, but it was the responsibility of the recipients to be good stewards of the gift they had been given – to work hard, hone their skill, develop their craft, and apply themselves to learning.

There was always a purpose in the gift – for the craft, studies and vocational work to be a demonstration of God's greatness and glory. Daniel teaches us an important principle: we apply ourselves to learning – whether that be a craft, a vocation or a subject – but always give God first place.

Daniel never allowed the wealth of the Babylonian king to distract him from God. He was well-informed, able, quick to understand and qualified, but his studies and apprenticeship in Babylon never took priority over his relationship with God. Not only do we want our colleges and universities to be places of excellence, but also places where God is at the centre, where staff and students come to know Christ, and where the good news of Christ is spoken.

Reflections:

• Is God my first priority over and above my studies, work, craft, vocation or career?
• Am I a good steward of the gifts that God has given me?
• Do I seek to use my intellect, skills and abilities for the glory of God, or for my own glory and advancement?
• Do I work willingly as if working unto the Lord, or begrudgingly?
• Do I love wisdom and discipline?

Prayer Points:

• Pray for wisdom and discernment for our young people as they choose their college and university courses, that they would know the direction and guidance of God for their lives.
• Pray that our young people in The Pulse and Ignite would 'remember the Lord in the days of their youth', and that as they do so, He would make them the 'head and not the tail'.
• Pray that our young people in The Pulse and Ignite would have a boldness and courage to speak to their friends about Christ, to stand for truth, and hold fast to God.
• Pray that the colleges and universities in Leicester would be places of excellence, but also places that uphold the truth and are not swayed by fads and trends that are not in keeping with God's Word.
• Pray that there would be more opportunities for the message of Christ to be preached in the colleges and universities.

Further Scriptures:

Job 23:8; Proverbs 18:15; Deuteronomy 28:13; Ephesians 2:10; Proverbs 1:7