Pray for the peace in Jerusalem

Pray for the peace in Jerusalem. May all who love this city prosper. O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls and prosperity in your palaces. For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “May you have peace.” For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek what is best for you, O Jerusalem. Psalm 122: 6-9 NLT

You would think that the city of Jerusalem would be the most peaceful city on earth. Certainly with the teenage Israeli army walking the streets armed with automatic rifles and the outskirts of any local Arab population surrounded by cement walls and bobbed wire you might think so. But then you take into account the whole Arab/Israeli conflict that easily erupts throughout that region, and you begin to have your doubts.

But the worst anti-peace place in the whole city is in a church and involves Christians.

Yep. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is the traditional sight of Jesus’ execution and burial. Within its walls seven different Christian churches have right to worship, walk, stand and move in particular places at particular times. This is probably one of the most violent areas in the whole city because if someone walks or moves into “territory” that is not their own or common ground, a fight will ensue. These are priests as well as believers and they are known to fight all the time -- often resulting in injuries that need to be hospitalized! If the Christians can’t have peace, is there any hope for non-Christians?

Pray for the peace in Jerusalem indeed!

God, we lift up all the official churches represented at this most holy sight in Jerusalem: Easter Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Armenian Apostolic, Greek Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, Syrian Orthodox and Ethiopian Orthodox. Forgive the violence and the fighting we Christians have among one another. We pray for peace! In Jesus’ name.

Copyright Amelia G. Sims 2012

Let us go to the house of the Lord

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” And now here we are, standing inside your gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is a well-built city; its seamless walls cannot be breached. All the tribes of Israel -- the Lord’s people -- make their pilgrimage here. They come to give thanks to the name of the Lord, as the law requires of Israel. Here stands the thrones where judgment is given, the thrones of the dynasty of David. Psalm 122: 1-5 NLT

If you ever have a chance to go to Jerusalem, I highly encourage you to do so. A trip to the Holy Land will forever change the way you read the bible and will enrich your faith. Then you can quote verse two: Now here we are, standing inside your gates! 

But many of you may never be able to go to Israel or stand inside the gates of Jerusalem. Does this mean this psalm cannot apply to you?

For me, the idea of going to the house of the Lord means going to a place of worship. Shouldn’t we be in awe when we enter a house of worship -- whether it is our own or we are simply God’s guests there? We can admire the love and patience that came together to build a place where God can be praised. We can be happy to be invited to come into God’s presence within the walls of a place build for worship. We can give thanks for all who enter here. Even a couple of city blocks can be a pilgrimage to God’s altar. 

Next time you enter a house of worship (hopefully this very weekend) I pray that you may read or repeat these verses from Psalm 122.

God, I am always glad when someone invites me to come to your house. May I continue to praise you when I arrive there and give thanks for all who come to worship you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Copyright Amelia G. Sims 2012