20/20 Vision Day 20 - Your City

There are many cities listed in the Bible.  Jonah 4:11 cites population of more than 120,000 in Nineveh. City of Babylon reached a population of 200,000.  Philippi:10,000-15,000.  Thessalonica: around 200,000. Ephesus: 200,000-300,000. Rome: approximately 1 million.

It’s easy to think of small villages when we read of Jesus and the disciples. However, historians report a Jerusalem population of 25,000-50,000 residents when the early church was born.  

• “The whole city celebrates when the godly succeed;  they shout for joy when the wicked die.  Upright citizens are good for a city and make it prosper, but the talk of the wicked tears it apart.” Pro.11:10,11NLT

• “And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.” Jer 29:7

• “The Lord your God will soon bring you into the land he swore to give you when he made a vow to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is a land with large, prosperous cities that you did not build.” Deut 6:10

At one point in the history of Israel, sin was reigning among people of the sin-filled cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.  Moses stood between God, pleading on behalf of his relatives in that city.  God delayed judgement on behalf of Moses prayers.

God’s heart for cities comes through Ezekiel’s words. Read Chapter 22 in Ezekiel, stopping at verse 30. Here are several versions:

• “I looked for someone to defend the city and to protect it from my anger, as well as to stop me from destroying it. But I found no one.” CEV

• “I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one. NLT

• “I asked the people to change their lives and protect their country. I asked people to fix the walls. I wanted them to stand by those holes in the wall and fight to protect their city. But no one came to help!” ERV

Cities were how the gospel spread.  According to the previous verses, God is only looking for one to stand in the gap, to stand on behalf of the people of a city. Do you know the population of your city? Are you willing to sacrifice time to pray?

Father in heaven, once again we thank you that you are merciful, delaying judgement by prayers and supplications of those willing to stand in the gap through prayer. Would you connect them now, those who are willing to pray for the cities to which you have carried us. In Jesus name.