Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem

Has there ever been a time when the nation of Israel did not have to fight for survival? The moment Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land, they battled the inhabitants to secure the land that the God of Israel promised Abraham (Genesis 13:14-15). In looking at the pages of history, one can not deny that Israel has constantly faced an uphill battle to exist as a nation.

For example, after conquering Israel, the Romans tried erasing the nation from history by renaming Israel "Palestine" and changing the name of the capital, Jerusalem, to "Aelia Capitolina." It's nothing short of a miracle that the forgotten land of Israel was reborn two-thousand years later from the flames of the Holocaust on May 15^th, 1948. To the ire of many, Israel officially declared the city of Jerusalem as their nation's capital after successfully defeating surrounding Arab nations during the Six-Day War in 1967. Since then, various world leaders have tried in vain to bring peace to the Middle East. Israel stands alone in a world surrounded by countries that openly seek her annihilation. As we observe the vultures circle the wagon for Israel's destruction, the Bible gives us one simple task: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6).

Why are we instructed to pray for peace in Jerusalem? 2^nd Chronicles 6: 6 may shed some light on this question: The Lord said,

"But I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there; and have chosen David to be over my people Israel."

The Lord makes it explicitly clear that His commitment to Jerusalem is unbreakable, in 2^nd Chronicles 33:7-8:

"In this house [temple], and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen before all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever: Neither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from out of the land which I have appointed for your fathers..."

The Lord has set-apart Jerusalem from any other city in the world; He has placed His name there. As a result, there has been a perpetual violent struggle between the Jews and the Muslims for the city of Jerusalem. Amazingly, the world has conveniently ignored Israel's two-thousand year connection with Jerusalem and has sided with the Palestinians to divide it.

Enemies of Israel believe they smell blood in the water regarding her defeat and securing the final conquest of Jerusalem. Newspapers are filled with headlines regarding how the world, including the United States, is trying to force Israel into dividing Jerusalem with the Palestinians.

The Lord warns all those who seek to burden themselves with solving matters concerning Jerusalem:

"Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people. All who burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it. (Zechariah 12:2-3)"

How many previous leaders and nations arrogantly believed they had the ability to solve the Middle East crisis only to have an unfortunate calamity or assassination dissolve their feeble peace treaty attempts?

Lately, de facto leaders and presidents have been relentlessly vocal about a utopian world where the nation of Israel does not exist:

"Israel will not bring peace to the region, it will only bring war and destruction and therefore, the slogan of all should be that Israel must be wiped out of existence."- Islamic Jihad

"A resistance front has been formed by the peoples of Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Turkey, Iran, Iraq and all the region... the world should know that eventually the Zionists will be forced to go and will not last long. They are enemies of humanity and will have no choice but to surrender. Palestine will be liberated through the force of faith." - Iranian president Mahmud Ahmadinejad

A more dire fate awaits those who openly seek the destruction of Jerusalem-

"And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people who have fought against Jerusalem: their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth."( Zechariah 14:12)

These are perilous times; the threats are against the nation of Israel are increasing in number and intensity. On November 2^nd, Israel's intelligence chief, Amos Yadlin warned, "Israel's next war would be fought on several fronts-causing far heavier damage and casualties than other recent conflicts."

Psalm 122, a song that David wrote thousands of years ago, can be applied during today's times:

"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May they prosper who love you. (Psalm 122:6)"

In obeying this command, believers are bestowed prosperity for their prayers. Please pray for the peace of Jerusalem.