“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May they prosper who love you'” (Ps. 122:6, NKJV).
What do these words mean for us today as believers in the God of Israel?
Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem
What does true peace look like in a world known for shocking terrorist acts in Nigeria and Afghanistan — and, lest we forget — New York City, Paris and Pittsburgh? It seems that much of the Western world is receiving an abrupt awakening to the type of reality that inhabitants of Israel face each day of their lives, a reality often plagued by fear and uncertainty.
Of course we believe and know that God’s ultimate plan is His eternal kingdom, where there will be no more death, pain or tears of sadness (Rev. 21:4). And yet as we eagerly await the day when the New Jerusalem is revealed, perhaps God’s peace for this world is not only the absence of turmoil but also the awareness of His presence in the midst of difficult situations. As we pray God’s peace over Jerusalem, let us ask for His strength for those who have already lost loved ones or walked through unimaginable difficulty.
May They Prosper Who Love You
When we pray for the peace of Jerusalem, we begin to align ourselves with God’s heart that loves Jerusalem and prioritizes her peace and prosperity. From this place of prayer, we position ourselves as believers to receive God’s blessing of peace and rest in our own lives, in our own families and in our own communities and regions. Are you in need of His peace today? He promises to give it generously to those who seek Israel’s peace, and He promises to prosper those who seek the expansion of His kingdom in Jerusalem and the nations.
As we continue to pray for God’s purposes to be accomplished during these critical and important days, may we take comfort in the fact that our God’s peace and blessing transcend any temporal barriers of violence or destruction that can be found in today’s news headlines. Let us continue to cry out for His peace for the future, and let us also continue to believe Him for His peace that reaches out to us in our present time of need.
You can take a first step to align with this biblical mandate to pray for God’s peace by participating in the global Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem the first Sunday of October.
Want to learn more? The Bishop and The Rabbi is a dynamic and informative weekly podcast, hosted by Bishop Robert Stearns, and featuring different guest rabbis from the Jewish community. It presents discussions on topics like the Hebrew Scriptures from Jewish and Christian viewpoints, current events in America and the Middle East and the future of Jewish-Christian cooperation. Tune in now to the latest episodes on the Charisma Podcast Network.{eoa}
Bishop Robert Stearns is the founder and executive director of Eagles’ Wings, a dynamic, relational ministry involved in a variety of outreaches and strategic projects around the world. He has ministered in 30 nations around the world and maintains a significant burden for the United States and for Israel. Learn more from the organization’s website, eagleswings.org
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