When was the last time you prayed for the peace of Jerusalem? That was on my heart today as I read this very directed command (Ps 122:6). My thought was that it’s been a long, long time. Typically mostly when I get around those who truly are passionate about Israel. So…that’s been awhile.
But there it is. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
In my teenage church experience we were taught that Israel and the church are all the same and are one. It wasn’t until years later that someone spoke negatively against this as “replacement theology.” I was never around a “theology” of modern-day Israel. I never knew anything different.
Then I began to be around those where Israel and Jerusalem was everything. They were separate, apart, and to be fought for and helped at all costs. This was good as this, too, stretched my understanding.
It challenged me to really to think about what I believe regarding Israel. The truth is I definitely need to do more study in this and hope to do so especially when I dive into Romans 9-11.
But here’s the thing. I no longer claim replacement theology. Nor do I proclaim Israel as the “god” almost of the nations. I come from a background where I was taught to use “Bible names for Bible things.” And in this I great appreciate that wisdom. So I am now of the understanding of “Grafted-in” theology. Because that’s what the Scriptures say we are. We are separate, but we are together through the grafting in (Rom 11).
Throughout Scripture though there truly is a reverence for Israel as God’s people and Jerusalem as God’s holy city. Much has happened and will happen in Jerusalem. We need to take the admonitions of Romans 11 with sobriety.
Therefore it is indeed good and necessary and important we pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Israel is God’s covenant people and we are part of that through being grafted in.
There’s much more I need to understand and learn on this through study and not so much through it being demanded upon me. But I’m growing and learning. And in reading this psalm, was even convicted that I need to add Jerusalem and Israel to my prayers. (And by the way if you want to follow a great ministry preaching the gospel in Israel, go to YouTube and check out Tree of Life Ministries).
So back to this psalm. It is a psalm of blessing for the holy city of God.
And it also made me think. We should especially be praying for Jerusalem, but also we would do well to pray peace and blessing over the cities in the places we live as well. It is good that God’s glory be established upon the earth. Instead of cursing. Blessing.
