How involved should we be in our communities?

"Build houses and live in them; and plant gardens, and eat their produce. Take wives and become the fathers of sons and daughters, and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; and multiply there, and do not decrease. And seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare."-Jeremiah 29:5-7

God tells those who had been taken from Jerusalem to Babylon to pray for and seek the welfare of Babylon! A country of paganism and hostility toward the One True God. A country whose practices very much would have gone against the Laws that God had given His people. Daniel would be thrown to lions and his friends in a furnace for refusing to adhere to this pagan society's rules. Throughout the history of Jesus' Church the same conflicts between Babylon and the exiled Jews have existed between the Church and earthly kingdoms. Are we to move out of town? Maybe if God is guiding you that way. But what about those who don't have the resources or legal ability to move? As much as it is in our power we should seek the good of the community as we see it in God's revealed will (The Bible). Plant a garden, be nice to the neighbors, have kids and enjoy your work-- all to the glory of God. Note also that God bids the people to pray. God does not tell people to pray if He doesn't plan on listening and answering.