Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May those who love you be secure.
May there be peace within your walls
   and security within your citadels.”
For the sake of my brothers and friends,
   I will say, “Peace be within you.”
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
   I will seek your prosperity.
(Psalm 122:6-9)

What difference will our worship make, if we don’t move beyond our own needs to that of the city?

There is work to do

In our liturgy, we move from “give us this day our daily bread” to “that we may bring light to others”.

We ask (pray) for the peace and security of the city. We are to become a house of prayer for all nations.

We hear Paul’s refrain of this in 1 Timothy 2:1-4:

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

We have a mission to this city. We have an eye on the Church, but that vision is city-shaped too.

As we make our way as pilgrims to the “temple”, it is not to find refuge, but a refreshed vision for the city.

The city rests from work on Sundays. The trading of shares halts. The money-counting in banks ceases for a day. Boardrooms are empty. But Christians gather in churches and enter into the essential work of worship and prayer for the city.

What was the message Jesus gave to His disciples after his resurrection?

“Peace be with you.” He blessed them with shalom, or wholeness.

And what next?

“Go into the world and relay that message.”

Heavenly citizens on earth

Lest we think that prayer for prosperity is confined to the holy city of Jerusalem, Jeremiah reminds the people of God to seek the welfare of the cities they find themselves in (Jeremiah 29:7).

Therefore, we pray that Singapore may prosper. That there is shalom and security within her. That her gateways and walls will hold strong. But make no mistake about this: We want Singapore to be a great city for the sake of the Lord’s House (Psalm 122:9).

We are dual citizens – of heaven and of earth – and when we honour His heavenly kingdom, He will honour our earthly ones: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)

We keep in our hearts a love for the Lord and His people. We keep in our hearts a delight for His Word and align our lives to it.

And when the final blessing (in the Anglican liturgy) is given: “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord”, we leave the “temple” with a renewed vision in our hearts for the city.

The best gift we can give to Singapore is for the Church to remain faithful to whom she is called to be.

It’s not over yet

The two-millennium history of the Church are witnesses of this again and again.

The modern pastor caught up in the temporal and immediate success of a ministry divorced from the “ancient paths” of the Church will only do this to the detriment of his flock and, eventually, the city.

In 2015, we celebrated 50 years of His amazing grace in our city. But remember, 50 years is still “too short to tell”, and the story is still being written.

May we be found faithful to Him, His Body and our call in this city.