Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem

While I was at the LCJE conference in Denver, one of the presentations that we heard was by an Israeli missionary who was talking about life in Israel in the aftermath of October 7th. It was heartbreaking to hear...

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! ‘May they be secure who love you! Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!’ For my brothers and companions' sake I will say, “Peace be within you!” (Psalm 122:6-8 ESV).

...For much of the world, October 7th was a day of shocking news. But as the news cycle turned, as new events occurred, as other ideas began coming about, distance allowed a certain kind of conversation to begin. The heartbreak that many felt when they heard the news from the safety of their homes or, as was the case for me, from the safety of my cousin's car, began to change. The heartbreak took the backburner to moral, theological, and political arguments. But for those living in Israel, those with friends and family in Israel, and those who have been experiencing Antisemitic backlash since then, October 7th isn’t just a “past event” it is an event that has a lasting impact. It is a moment that has brought fears to the surface.

For many Jewish people in America, there has been an increasing sense of fear as anti-Semitic actions, chants, and demonstrations have rippled across the world. The old sentiment “it can’t happen here” is a little bit harder to say and believe for many. I, as a Jewish Christian, have never felt unsafe in America, but as of late, I have heard far more anti-Semitic comments, jokes, and the like in the wake of October 7th than I have before.

Let me say that I am not writing to address a political, social, moral, or even theological stance on the conflict; others are far more equipped to have those conversations, others who can take all the history, nuance, brokenness, and politics into account. I, however, as a Jewish believer in the Jewish Messiah (who saves both Jews and Gentiles) and as a pastor and missionary, would like to look at this from a different angle.

Scripture teaches us to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6a). So, how can we do that today? How can the Church stand up for our Jewish neighbors, be they believers in Jesus or not, and say “We love you; we are here for you and — more importantly — Jesus loves you.” How can we share Jesus’ love with our nearest neighbors?

I am suggesting that as Christians we take a step back from the political rhetoric and begin serving and loving those nearest to us. Perhaps if you have Jewish friends or neighbors, you can ask how they are doing and if you can pray for them in any way. Our churches can gather to pray that the Lord would bring peace, justice, comfort, and good leadership to Israel and to Palestine.

We can share the texts (Old and New Testament) that proclaim the Lord’s promises to the Jewish people with them as well. After all, it is only in Christ that lasting peace, peace that is true because we have peace with God, can be found. And it is only in Christ that eternal life can be received as a gift (Ephesians 2:8-9). Our mission in this moment can be to show that we care about our Jewish neighbors, and that — in caring about them — we want them to know eternal life and the one who loves them infinitely. As Jesus says, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (Jn 15:13 ESV) and that is exactly what Jesus did as He laid down His life so that “whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (Jn 3:16b ESV).

What Jewish people need is people who will befriend them and pray for them as the Psalm says, “For my brothers and companions' sake I will say, ‘Peace be within you!’” (Psalm 122:8a). But, more than that, what Jewish people — and indeed all people need — is the Gospel of Jesus Christ our savior. The message that they are loved infinitely that the sins of all who believe in Christ are forgiven, that no matter what else is happening, their Lord is with them. And the message that, in the midst of the brokenness and sin in our world, God has restored all things in Christ, a reality that will one day be fully realized.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus who says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you” (Jn 14:27 ESV). We know that apart from You no true and lasting peace can occur. It is in You alone that we find the peace of sin forgiven, and in You, we are made members of one body, one family. Lord Jesus, we pray also for the peace of the world. Bring peace, goodness and blessing, grace and kindness, and mercy upon us and upon all of Your people. Bring peaceful times, wise rules, and justice to Israel and Palestine during this time of pain and conflict. And Bless us, our Father, all of us as one, with the light of Your face. You gave us the Word of life and a love of kindness, righteousness, and blessing, and mercy, life and peace. And may it be good in Your eyes to bless Your people Israel in every season and in every hour with Your peace. Blessed are You, O Lord, who blesses His people with peace (Prayer adapted from the Nineteenth blessing of the Amida).

Shalom,

Pastor Peiser

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