Multitudes of Christians are praying for the peace of Jerusalem, but why? What good does it do? Is praying about this really necessary? What does God have to say about this subject?

God Himself instructs us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. He also tells us that this nation is the apple of His eye! When one hears the Shepherd’s voice, praying for Jerusalem is a mandatory requirement, not an option.

Just a quick history lesson is needed here:

The history of the Jewish people begins with Abraham. God told Abraham to leave his homeland. Abraham was promised, along with his descendants, the land of Canaan.

This land is the present day Israel. The land is often referred to as the Promised Land because of God’s covenant with Abraham and his descendants. Listed below are a few scriptures that prove this land belongs to Israel:

Genesis 12:1-3  “Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:  And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:  And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”

Genesis 15:18 “In the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:”

Genesis 12:7 “And the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land:”

Genesis 13:15 “For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed forever.”

Genesis 17:8 “And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.”

Psalm 125:2 “As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even forever.”

As of December 2011, seven million Jewish people have returned to Israel. For the first time in over 1900 years, 50% of the Jewish population is living within the land of Israel!

God-given promises are in store for those who will follow His instruction to pray for the peace of Jerusalem!

Psalms 122:6-7   “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces…”

Israel is mentioned as the center of the earth…even in the end times. It is a nation established in a day. Israel belongs to the Jewish people forever.

For years three major religions – Judaism, Christianity and Islam have believed, “Whoever rules Jerusalem will rule the world.”

When we pray for the peace of Jerusalem – we are praying for the salvation of the Jewish people. We are also praying for a harvest of the nations – the Gentiles. Prayer actually accelerates the evangelism thrust when we pray for the peace of Jerusalem!

Three blessings come as a result of praying for Israel:

1. Peace – which means completeness, soundness of body (divine healing), all the benefits listed in Psalm 68:19 and contentment and calmness.

2. Blessings from the Lord – including provision, a state of ease and rest.

Proverbs 10:22 – “The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.”

3. Prosperity includes divine health, divine healing, abundance, wholeness and bearing fruit in due season.

II Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work…”

Now you know some of the benefits that result from praying for the peace of Jerusalem. May it be a city filled with God’s peace. Also, let’s continue to pray specifically for Israel’s leaders to have the wisdom and strength to stand in the midst of opposition.

As Christians we all need to stand for Israel, the apple of God’s eye. When you have a heart for God and His ways, then you will sincerely follow God’s instructions. Pray for God’s protection to be over that land and for the peace of Jerusalem.

God promises to bless you for your heartfelt prayers and obedience!