I was privileged to attend the 45th Annual Fort Lauderdale Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast this morning. I was truly impressed by the people of faith who serve this community.

One verse that was read at the breakfast really got me thinking: “Work for the good of the city where I’ve taken you as captives, and pray to the LORD for that city.” (Jeremiah 29:7a). It made me think about how Christians engage the culture in which we live. Do I work for the good of this “city” or community and do I pray for it? I probably don’t work or pray nearly enough.


It is far easier for the church and those in it to complain about how bad things are in the world or in the city or in the culture. Trying to make the world better in a meaningful way is much more difficult than criticizing it. Trying to engage culture is harder than condemning it.


Sometimes we forget who the opposition is. We should not see those who we might call secular or even the anti-Christian as our opposition. Jesus died to redeem all, even those with whom we disagree. We, as God’s people, have been entrusted with the privilege of telling the good news of this redemption. We need to be making friends (working for the good) in our communities.


How can you work for the good of this community this week? Who in government will you be praying for today?