Work for the good of the city where I’ve taken you as captives and pray to the Lord for that city. When it prospers, you will also prosper.

Jeremiah 29:7 (GW)

Despite the fact that Israel was no longer in their homeland, the Prophet Jeremiah reminded them that their vocation and mission as a holy nation of priests (Exodus 19:6) remained unchanged. God urged Israel to intercede on Babylon's behalf throughout their exile, knowing that if Babylon prospered, they would prosper as well. Likewise, wherever God has placed you, whether in a nation, a business, a church community, or a family, you are to intercede for the well-being and spiritual transformation of people before God.

Prayer was an essential part of the ministry of the Old Testament priests, and Jesus bestowed the new covenant believers with their priestly identity and status when He gave them the Holy Spirit, and this explains why the early Christians were so united in prayer. They not only prayed for God’s kingdom to come but they also demonstrated the transforming power of the kingdom in every sphere of society.

Intercessory prayer is integral to our role as the royal priesthood of believers.

The Acts of the Apostles show how prayer can shift the spiritual atmosphere in a given place or situation and gain new ground for the Kingdom. If we believe in the priesthood of all believers, then we should realize the Great Commission is not just for pastors, missionaries and other church workers. Consider the words of the Apostle Paul to the Romans:

I am to do the priestly work of proclaiming the gospel of God so that the Gentiles would be an acceptable offering, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:16 (EHV)

In the same way that Old Testament priests were to offer sacrifices to God, we as New Covenant priests (under our great High Priest Jesus) should regard our ministry to the lost as a priestly service to God and those who were saved as an offering to God. The Apostle Peter terms this offering of the saved as spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable and pleasing to God (1 Peter 2:5).

The Holy Spirit has consecrated us as the saints of God to do the "priestly work" of the gospel of Christ in our everyday lives and activities. Pray for understanding and wisdom in how to live seamlessly in both faith and work.