Day Ninety-Five

JERUSALEM

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.”

—PSALM 122:6–7 NIV

I’ve been to Jerusalem twice, and I absolutely love the city—both the old parts and the newer parts. It feels sacred. It feels as old as it is, and yet it feels like something fresh is stirring. The food is delicious; the cobblestone streets are lined with history that really matters; the shop owners are friendly. It’s a beautiful place.

And Jesus was there.

God tells us about this city all throughout the Bible. He tells us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Jerusalem is the only city God specifically asks us to pray for.

So we shall. We are asked by God to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

In Genesis 12, God promised blessings on those who bless Israel and curses on those who curse her.

Besides Jerusalem being the holy land and the center of Jewish life, Jerusalem is prophesied to be the scene of Christ’s return in Acts 1:11 and Zechariah 14:4.

Prayer is our most direct connection to God—your voice to His ear. I don’t have any special insider information on prayer. I don’t understand why it seems to “work” sometimes and then not work other times. I can list for you many prayers I’ve uttered throughout the years that I don’t understand what God did with them.

Jerusalem is the only city God specifically asks us to pray for.

We’ve talked about the power of prayer and, y’all, it is real. Prayer changes things.

So when you pray for places like your home and your neighborhood and your city and your country and the world, pray for Jerusalem. Pray for the bravery of those who are being persecuted for their beliefs. Pray for a revival. Pray.

BE BRAVE: Add Jerusalem to your list of prayers. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.