PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM
Pray for the peaceH7965 of Jerusalem: “May those who love you prosper.
May there be peaceH7965 within your walls, and prosperity inside your fortresses.”
For the sake of my brothers and friends, I will say, “PeaceH7965 be within you.”
Psalm 122:6-8
Warren Wiersbe explains some things about Jerusalem:
122:6–9 The name “Jerusalem” means “foundation of peace,” and yet the city has been a center of conflict for centuries. If we understand biblical prophecy correctly, there can be no peace in Jerusalem or on earth until the Prince of Peace reigns on David’s throne (Is. 9:6, 7; Luke 1:26–33). So, when we pray for the peace of Jerusalem, we are actually praying, “Your kingdom come” (Matt. 6:10). (25)
Jerusalem is the center of the Jewish faith even though the city David prayed for and Temple his son Solomon built were eventually destroyed. The Temple rebuilt during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah also fell. Finally in A.D. 70, the Romans reduced the Temple that had been restored during the reign of King Herod to ruins. However, God’s promise to Abraham remained, and all nations are blessed through his Seed which is Jesus, the Jewish Messiah. We, as Christians, still need to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. As Warren Wiersbe pointed out, Jerusalem will not truly have shalom (peace that is nothing missing, nothing broken, complete wholeness) until Jesus the Messiah, the Prince of Shalom, returns in full glory to reign and rule as King of kings and Lord of lords. Therefore, as Jesus taught His disciples, we are to pray:
Matthew 6:9b-10 Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
As Christians, we still need to bless Israel because they are still God’s chosen people. We need to pray for Jews to recognize that Jesus was and is the Messiah they have waited for.
The following information comes from this website: https://www.gotquestions.org/support-Israel.html
Jews are, biblically speaking, the “chosen people of God” and dearly loved by Him. Another reason for Christians to support the nation of Israel is because of the Abrahamic Covenant. We read of God’s promise in Genesis 12:2-3, “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (see also Genesis 27:29; Numbers 24:9). (26)
Numbers 24:9 (NLT) Like a lion, Israel crouches and lies down; like a lioness, who dares to arouse her? Blessed is everyone who blesses you, O Israel, and cursed is everyone who curses you.
Historically, the Jewish people have been persecuted, displaced from their homeland, nearly annihilated; but they continue to rise from the destruction. They are now a nation in the land God promised them. However, there is still major conflict, territory disputes, and wars. Let us remember the people of Israel in our prayers. Let us pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Let us pray, “Your kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven.”
Father, help us to remember to pray for peace in Jerusalem, for the peace of Israel. Help us to realize that their ultimate and complete peace will be ours as well because that will be when Jesus returns in all His glory and splendor.