Pray For The Peace Of Jerusalem

by Rita Langeland

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May all who love this city prosper. O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls and prosperity in your palaces. For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “Peace be with you.” For the sake of the house of the LORD our God,
I will seek what is best for you, O Jerusalem.
Psalm 122:6-9 (NLT)

Darkness had already fallen as we walked through the winding cobblestone streets of Old Jerusalem, lit only by an occasional street lamp along the way. We were headed toward an “upper room” in the Christian section of the Old City. An enthusiastic worship service was underway when we arrived. The congregation lifted their voices to sing praises to the Lord in the Arabic language. As I looked around the tightly packed room full of believers, it was not hard to imagine the 120 followers of Jesus who waited in another upper room nearly 2000 years ago for the promise of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Like those early believers of long ago, these Christians are a tiny minority (1.7%) in a predominately Jewish nation. They are also greatly outnumbered by Muslims, who make up 16% of Israel’s population. The pastor of that “upper room” church told me that his heart, his focus and his prayer was to win his fellow Arabic speakers, who are Muslims, to the Lord.

Israel is a nation in turmoil. There is a great spiritual battle over this land which God calls His own precious possession. Islamic leaders have called for an annihilation of Israel and all Jewish people. Secular Jewish leaders are trying to govern and protect the land without God’s input. Orthodox Jewish religious leaders want to impose Old Testament law upon the nation and forbid all Christian witness to Jews in Israel. And a handful of Christians in the land are praying for the light and love of Christ Jesus to be revealed to Jew and Muslim alike.

There will be no true peace in Israel or the Middle East until the “Prince of Peace” is revealed to hearts and transforms with His love the hatred and bitterness which has wreaked havoc for centuries. We must join our fellow believers in Israel in obeying the command of scripture to “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem…” It is a command for all of us around the world who have come to know the love of God in our own lives.