A Prayer for the Wellbeing of the City

Seek the welfare of the city … for in its welfare you will find your welfare (Jeremiah 29:7, NRSV).

Prayer: O God, we confess our need to be more diligent in seeking the welfare of the city. We often feel that the business (or is it busyness?) of the church is distant and completely set apart from the life of the communities that surround our buildings. Open our eyes to the spiritual, social, emotional and economic condition of the towns, boroughs, and cities where we live and worship. Enable us to see the struggles of the people around our churches and hear their cries for mercy. Give us courage to extend a hand, lend a shoulder of support, or share our faith as we find our own wellbeing entangled in the wellbeing of those around us. Amen.