Serving God in Babylon and America
Follows the message A Better Kingdom from the Faith series
How do you follow Jesus faithfully in a culture where politics feels like everything? Start where God started with His people in exile: remember that He is good and in control. Then build, plant, and seek the good of the place you live. And ask yourself an honest question. Which do you believe has more power to shape your nation, your vote or your prayers?
Key takeaways
- Jeremiah 29:11 was written to exiles in Babylon, reminding them that God is good and in control before giving them hard news.
- God told His people in exile to build, plant, and seek the peace of the city where they lived, and to pray for it.
- Your vote matters, but your prayers matter more, and putting your hope in a party is political idolatry.
- Guard your heart by guarding what you take in, because you are discipled by the voices you listen to most.
What does Jeremiah 29:11 really mean?
Jeremiah 29:11 is God reminding His people who He is before giving them hard news. It was written to Israelites being carried into exile in Babylon, not to people expecting quick success.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11
It is one of the most loved verses in the Bible and one of the most often pulled out of context. Look at what God says about Himself. He knows the plans, so He is all knowing. The plans are good, so He is all good. His people needed to hear that first. The rest of the letter told them they were going into seventy years of captivity for their disobedience.
So the promise is that God is still good and still on the throne, even when your circumstances don't turn out the way you want. On Beyond Sunday, Pastor Sean Sloan and his guest, Levonia Strong, noted that this is hard for many Christians in the American West. Some form of the prosperity gospel has quietly shaped our thinking here. It is difficult to square that view with Israel in exile or with the suffering of the first century church.
How should Christians live in a culture that isn't theirs?
Christians should settle in, contribute, and work for the good of the place God has put them. That was God's instruction to exiles living under a pagan empire.
Also, 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.
Jeremiah 29:7
Just before this, God told them to build houses, plant gardens, marry, and raise children there. This season wouldn't end quickly; it would be generational. Your birthplace and the place you live now are part of God's plan for you, and He calls you to make that place better. It may not be perfect, and it may be divided, but you still have work to do.
Calvary is a church of many nations. Whatever nation you come from and whatever nation you live in, the question is the same: how is it blessed because you are there?
Is your hope in your vote or your prayers?
Your vote matters, but your prayers matter more, and how you answer that question shows what you have made your god. Jeremiah didn't only tell the exiles to seek the city's welfare. He told them to pray for it.
In the United States, the news cycle never stops, and every election gets framed as the moment history hangs on. While preparing for the episode, Pastor Sean found himself convicted by a simple question. "Do I really believe that the most important thing I bring to this nation is my vote or do I believe it's my prayers?" A second question followed: what if Christians were less known for political outrage and more known for prayer?
Still, vote, stay informed, and be an engaged citizen. But don't put your hope in a party, and don't let politics set your emotions, your purpose, or how you respond to life. They also observed that both major parties tend to exaggerate their own goodness and the other side's evil to stoke fear and gain power. That spirit doesn't come from God. If your hope is in either party, it is misplaced.
Political idolatry is what happens when a party, a candidate, or political power takes the place in your heart that belongs to God. It usually shows up as fear, anger, and constant outrage.
How do you keep the news cycle from shaping your heart?
Guard your heart by guarding what you take in. You are always being discipled by the voices you listen to most.
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
Proverbs 4:23
For example, Levonia described two questions that changed her life a few years ago. What is capturing all your attention? What is shaping your emotions? Her honest answers were social media and the news, watched morning, afternoon, and night. That steady diet fed fear, anger, and anxiety, so she let it go.
Your first reaction also tells you where your heart really leans. You don't have to stay there. You can take a thought captive and make it obedient to Christ. Over time you can shorten the gap between a fearful first reaction and a settled place. That is the place of knowing that God is in control, He is good, and you have work to do.
How should you pray for leaders you disagree with?
Pray for leaders you disagree with by name, and ask God for peace so His people can live faithful lives. Paul wrote this to Timothy while Christians lived under Rome.
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people, for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
1 Timothy 2:1 to 2
That includes ungodly leaders and unjust systems. Your first allegiance belongs to the voice, the will, and the Word of God, and from that place you can pray for anyone. Pastor Sean and Levonia closed with a well-known promise about what happens when God's people pray.
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.
2 Chronicles 7:14
Three questions for a political season
- What is capturing most of my attention right now?
- What is shaping my emotions, and is it producing fear and anger or peace?
- Have I prayed this week, by name, for my city and its leaders, including the ones I disagree with?
If the answers point to outrage, swap one news or social app session each day for prayer or Scripture.
Pray
Lord, You are good and You are in control. Help me seek the good of my city and pray for the people who lead it. Guard my heart from fear and outrage, and let my hope rest in You alone. Amen.
Common questions
What does Jeremiah 29:11 really mean?
God spoke it to Israelites heading into seventy years of exile in Babylon. It reminds them that He knows the plan and that it is good, even through a long, hard season. It is a promise of God's goodness, not a guarantee of quick success.
Should Christians be involved in politics?
Yes. Christians can vote and be engaged citizens. But our hope can't rest in a party or a candidate, and politics shouldn't control our emotions or our sense of purpose, because our first allegiance is to God and His Word.
How should Christians pray for leaders they disagree with?
1 Timothy 2 urges prayer for all people, including kings and everyone in authority, and Paul wrote it under Rome. Pray for leaders and systems, even unjust ones, asking God to bring peace so His people can live faithful lives.
What is political idolatry?
Political idolatry is placing your hope, identity, or sense of security in a party, candidate, or political outcome instead of in God. It often shows up as constant fear, anger, and outrage shaped by the news cycle.
Your next step
Prayer for our city is better together. Find a group where you can pray and grow with others.