Current Events & Trends: A prayer for Jerusalem is a prayer for world peace
On March 23, 2014, thousands of Palestinians marched to show support for Hamas leadership. This is a boon for the self-stated cause of Hamas—to destroy the state of Israel. Hamas, which governs the Arab residents of the Gaza Strip, has close ties to violent terrorist organizations of the region.
For those who read and trust in the Bible, it should come as no surprise that humanity does not hold the solution to the long Israeli-Arab conflict. 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 shell or missile could land on their home at any time.
The simple and powerful message of one of King David's psalms is more relevant today than when it was written thousands of years ago: "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem" (Psalm 122:6). 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 Arab man, woman and child who has to face another day of fear and violence. You'll be praying for their safety and for their emotional well-being—that these people under the thumb of history and prophesied conditions will have a normal life today and into the future.
And praying for Jerusalem is more than asking for momentary peace today. It is a plea for the ultimate peace to come. Jerusalem has a bright future that starts when Jesus Christ returns. As the Lord states: "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 more important than just finding an end to the violence of today. A prayer for Jerusalem's peace equals a prayer for world peace and the coming of God's Kingdom of peace on earth.
An Article from:
Good News Magazine: May - June 2014
Course Content
Peter Eddington
Peter serves at the home office as Interim Manager of Media and Communications Services.
He studied production engineering at the Swinburne Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Australia, and is a journeyman machinist. He moved to the United States to attend Ambassador College in 1980. He graduated from the Pasadena campus in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and married his college sweetheart, Terri. Peter was ordained an elder in 1992. He served as assistant pastor in the Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo, California, congregations from 1995 through 1998 and the Cincinnati, Ohio, congregations from 2010 through 2011.
Rudolph Rangel III
Rudy Rangel attends the Cincinnati East, Ohio congregation along with his wife Judy and two children.
Darris McNeely
Darris McNeely works at the United Church of God home office in Cincinnati, Ohio. He and his wife, Debbie, have served in the ministry for more than 43 years. They have two sons, who are both married, and four grandchildren. Darris is the Associate Media Producer for the Church. He also is a resident faculty member at the Ambassador Bible Center teaching Acts, Fundamentals of Belief and World News and Prophecy. He enjoys hunting, travel and reading and spending time with his grandchildren.
