Adopting a City

 Cities buzz with neon lights, students, businesses and music. They are busy and full of life. Statistics indicate that by 2050, 70% of the world’s populations will live in cities. The effect of urbanisation will continue to change the face of the world and have an impact on resources, education as well as our ability to reach the nations. It’s not all bad. Cities are part of God’s end time strategy.

In a city, you can access to transport, technology, entertainment and different cultures without going too far. There is a wider variety of people groups in a closer geographical proximity. In a city, however you find ‘tribes’. Now, I’m not talking about ethnic groups or though you might find a number of them there, but rather cultural tribes, for example, athletes, musicians, coffee drinkers and so forth.

We were made to share our lives with one another; to live in a community. If we don’t find it in our natural living environment, we will search for it through our interests. God loves cities and He has compassion on them. From the times of Jonah to now, God loves those who live in cities and we should too.  

How can you adopt a city in your heart?

1. Walk the streets of your city or travel to a city that is on your heart.  Explore it's tourist attractions and see it at night.
2. Pray at the key entrances or high places of that city.
3. Bless your city - Find ways to be a blessing e.g. beach clean-ups, after school programmes for child-headed households.  Decide to speak well of the city. Finally, get to know the leaders of your city and pray for the them.
4. Develop heart of compassion for the cities of this world.