The news reports of the Israel-Gaza conflict aren't pretty. Step back from geopolitics for a moment and think about the human element at play. People on both sides of the line are living in fear day to day. A mortar or missile could land on their home at any time.

Reading the reports of the violence immediately made me think of Psalm 122:6. "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem." David's simple statement holds even more meaning now than when he wrote it. Take some time out of your day and follow David's example. Get on your knees and pray to God for the peace of Jerusalem.

You won't just be praying for a city. You'll be praying for every Israeli and Palestinian man, woman and child who has to face another day of fear. You'll be praying for their safety and for their emotional wellbeing. For those people at risk right now, a prayer for Jerusalem equals a prayer for a normal life today and into the future.

Even more important than peace today is that you'll be praying for the ultimate peace to come. It can be hard to see past today's suffering, but Jerusalem has a bright future that starts when Jesus Christ returns. "I will return to Zion, and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Jerusalem shall be called the City of Truth, the Mountain of the Lord of hosts, the Holy Mountain" (Zechariah 8:3). Even Israel's current enemies will share in this peace. "In that day Egypt and Assyria will be connected by a highway. The Egyptians and Assyrians will move freely between their lands, and they will both worship God. And Israel will be their ally. The three will be together, and Israel will be a blessing to them. For the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will say, 'Blessed be Egypt, my people. Blessed be Assyria, the land I have made. Blessed be Israel, my special possession!'" (Isaiah 19:23-25, New Living Translation).

Praying for peace in Jerusalem is a lot more important than just stopping today's fighting. A prayer for Jerusalem's peace equals a prayer for world peace and God's Kingdom of Peace on earth.