Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem in 2018

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

God's Holy City

2018 could be a pivotal year in the State of Israel and Jerusalem, it’s capital.  President Trump has defied the nations of the world by announcing that the US Embassy will move to Jerusalem, the capital of Israel.  Due to his bold and courageous decision, unrest has spread throughout much of the Middle East.  If there was ever a time to pray for Israel, now is the time. We pray because we are blessed if we do, but more so because of Israel’s holy city, Jerusalem, is the apple of the Father’s eye.

Centuries ago King David prophesied the nations of the world would turn against God’s Anointed (Psalm 2: 2 NASB).  The Hebrew word for Anointed is Messiah. Last week the United Nations voted to condemn the decision to move the Embassy to Jerusalem.  There were 128 for the resolution, 9 against it, and 35 abstentions.   We are seeing prophecy being fulfilled before our very eyes. If we read on to v.6 we find out where the Anointed would reign. “But as for me, I have installed my King Upon Zion. My holy mountain.” Make no mistake about it, Jerusalem is holy ground.

The Maoz Israel Report tells us that Jerusalem has always been a battleground. It “has been destroyed twice, besieged 23 times, attacked 52 times, captured and recaptured 44 times.”  As Christians, we read the Bible and say that God has it all under control.  And He does, yet God’s sovereignty is worked out through man’s free will.  We can obey His command to pray or not.  Prayer is God’s vehicle to accomplish His will on this earth.  God cooperating with man in the place of prayer, makes God no less sovereign and man no less free.

There is a battle to be won over Jerusalem, and it will be gained in heavenly places on our knees.  We can ask the Lord how, or how much to pray, but not if we are to entreat Him, the Bible has already instructed us. We must stand against the powers of darkness that seek to obliterate His people. I challenge all believers to pray regularly for Israel in 2018; be it daily, weekly, or monthly.  In relation to prayer, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Let’s not let our prayerlessness make us miss our part in the great victory God wins over Jerusalem, the place that our Lord has chosen for His name to be honored.