Seek the welfare of the city I have deported you to. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for when it has prosperity, you will prosper.”     Jeremiah 29:7 HCSB

When you live in a small town, it’s fun to travel to a big city. My mom and I used to go to New York almost every year for Christmas. While there were some years we missed, for about ten years, we tried to make it an annual event. New York is spectacular at Christmas time.

In the fall of 2013 or 2014, my husband and I went to New York and were there on a Sunday. We attended the First Baptist Church of the City of New York. This is a beautiful, old structure that was built in 1890. It is situated on the corner of 79th St. and Broadway. The people were warm and welcoming.

The one thing I did notice, though, was how few people were there. The pastor asked for prayer for their church as they were losing many members. When we came home, we put them on our prayer list at church. After about 6 months, I went to their website and emailed their pastor. I just wanted to thank him for his sermon and let him know we were praying for them. He responded and thanked me for the prayers and told me they had actually begun to grow. When we went a couple years ago, it was almost a full house.

It is amazing to step from the hustle and bustle that is New York City into this beautiful church with such welcoming people. Now, let me say I don’t find New Yorkers to be rude. Some people say they are, but I have never experienced this. They are simply in a hurry, but I have talked to many of them in restaurants and shops that I found to be very friendly and hospitable.

By population, New York City is the largest city in the United States with a population of 7.9 million. It’s so easy to get lost in the crowd. It’s so easy to blend into the scenery and become anonymous. But no matter how big the city is, if we focus on Jesus and join others who are focused on Him, it can become small and even cozy.

Acts 2:42 says, “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to the prayers.” As believers, we are a community. We can come together no matter where we are or where we are from.

In our Scripture passage, Jeremiah is prophesying to the Jews about their impending Babylonian captivity. God is telling them to continue to live their lives when they are deported by building houses, marrying and having children. Jeremiah tells them to pray for the city for when the city prospers, they will prosper. We see this being lived out in the book of Daniel with Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

So, whether you travel to the tiniest town or the biggest city you are still a part of the community of those who love the Lord. If you are fortunate enough to find a church home away from home, pray for them and support them with offerings while you are there.

I am sad to say I will not be able to attend the First Baptist Church of the City of New York on my upcoming trip because of being there during the week. But they remain in my prayers.

No matter how big the city may be, continue to focus on the Lord while you are there. Don’t be distracted by all that is going on especially anything bad there. Find people there who love the Lord as you do. Congregate and worship with them. And before you know it, you will have a church home away from home even in the big city.

Have a great day!