Psalm 55: 9-11 9  “Lord, confuse the wicked, confound their words, for I see violence and strife in the city. 10 Day and night they prowl about on its walls; malice and abuse are within it. 11 Destructive forces are at work in the city; threats and lies never leave its streets.”

for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” Jeremiah 29:7 “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.”

1 Timothy 2: 1-4 1 “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”

2 Chronicles 7:14  “If My people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Jeremiah 33: 6-11 “God’s Promise to Rebuild the Cities of Israel & Judah”

Isaiah 65: 17-25 “God Describes The New Jerusalem”

Key Components of the Heavenly City: - Public Celebrations - Health for Children/Elderly - Housing for All - Food for All - Families are United - Absence of Violence/Crime

So…why are we focusing so much today on “The Heavenly City”? Weren’t we supposed to be talking about how to pray for our city? Yes…and Jesus says these two places are connected.

The Lord’s Prayer (KJV) “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”

Matthew 9: 35-38 35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then He said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

If we really take the mission of Jesus seriously, we will desire to pray for God’s Kingdom to come on Earth (as much as it can prior to Jesus’ return) and for His Will to be done in our cities.

Isaiah 61:4 (The Message) “They’ll rebuild the old ruins, raise a new city out of the wreckage. They’ll start over on the ruined cities, take the rubble left behind and make it new.”

Ways to Pray for Your “City” Blessings, Safety, and Prosperity To be a place for families to thrive Unity of Churches & Pastors Godly Wisdom for our Local Leaders Strengthen the Law Enforcement to Protect

Bring in strong, healthy businesses to city Shut down corrupt/sinful businesses Schools: Staff, Students, Programs Deliverance from all forms of addiction Christians would meet community needs Rebuke demonic influences and “strongholds” within the city Revival to spread across our whole area

The 9:25 Prayer Challenge Beginning January 4 & ending February 13, I am asking each of you to separately, but in unity, each day to pray at 9:25 (preferably A.M., but P.M. is ok too) for each week’s “breakthrough” focus.

A Time of Prayer for our Communities