We cannot love the city without knowing the city’s need.

• Be realistic about the city.

God loves the city and desires to pour out grace upon it: John 3:16, 2 Peter 3:9
The unrepentant in the city lie under the power of the evil one and the wrath of God: 1 John 5:19, Romans 1:18 
Therefore it will be difficult: 1 Peter 2:12 (We are to be neither tourists nor terrorists)

We cannot love the city with our own strength

Story of Tammy going to India after sensing a call there to minister to orphaned and abandoned children (from Ministry in the Image of God)
“However, after several days in India, Tammy was overwhelmed. The grinding poverty, endless rows of squatter houses, street children and beggars, corruption, idolatry, hopelessness, and spiritual darkness were beyond anything she had imagined. “Lord,” she prayed, “I don’t really like this country. It’s too hard. Yet I believe I’ve felt your call here. I’m confused. What am I going to do?” “

• It will deplete all the love and compassion you muster up for the city

• You need the strength that comes from God’s heart alone.

A firm grasp of the Father’s joyful, intimate love for us is the foundation of ministry, but we also need continued experiences of his love. [Ephesians 3:17-19]…Without regular experiences of the Father’s embrace, we forget whose we are and our focus shifts from relationship to work. Working for God become more important than loving God.

We must love the city, serve the city, and give our lives for the city

• Love for the city verses a lust for the city. 
  • God so loved the world He gave…not cliché, rather is should be what motivates anyone praying about San Francisco.
  • Lust is self-centered. What can the city do for me, how can I go and make a name for myself?

• Tear down…build up…

Jeremiah 1:10
Jeremiah’s message was complete in his grasp of the Gospel…showing people their sin and need for repentance because the wrath of God abides upon them and preaching restoration, hope and renewal.
We will go into the city seeking to expose and tear down the idols of the culture (Acts 17) and to bless and build up culture and life in the city (Jeremiah 29)

• Seek the Shalom of the city

Jeremiah 29:4-9
When Nebuchadnezzar sacked Jerusalem, he brought thousands of Jewish exiles to live in the pagan mega-city of Babylon. At first the exiles refused to move into the wicked city, settling outside in their own enclave. But God spoke to them through Jeremiah and gave them a startling mandate. First, he spoke to them of their actions toward the city. He told them to move in, settle down, raise their families there, and invest in the economy of the city (Keller).