"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee."
Do you think it would help our economic situation if more people in the U.S. did this, and/or do you feel this scripture has deeper meaning?
2007-12-01 14:03:15 · 13 answers · asked by Virginia B (John 16:33) 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yess!!!!!
I know of a Church in Africa [pastor testified at my Church] that took God at his word and began praying for Israel....7 people with diseases were healed....
this is real...take him literally!!
2007-12-01 14:12:55 · answer #1 · answered by John[nottheapostle] 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
In view of the importance of Jerusalem, the psalmist continues: “Ask, O you people, for the peace of Jerusalem. Those loving you, O city, will be free from care. May peace continue within your rampart, freedom from care within your dwelling towers.” (Ps. 122:6, 7) It would be most appropriate for the Israelites to pray for the peace or welfare of Jerusalem as the capital of the nation and the center of worship.
Love for the city because of what it was would be in harmony with God’s will. Therefore, all lovers of the city, that is, all lovers of true worship and justice, could rest assured of divine favor and would enjoy security, ‘freedom from care’ or anxiety. The prayerful expression of the psalmist is that within the rampart or fortifications of Jerusalem there would be peace, that the welfare of the city be secure. This security would include the dwelling towers or the fortified royal residences.
Today true worship is no longer associated with a specific city or a particular geographical location. Jesus Christ told a Samaritan woman: “The hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you people worship the Father, Nevertheless, the hour is coming, and it is now, when the true worshipers will worship the Father with spirit and truth, for, indeed, the Father is looking for suchlike ones to worship him.” John 4:21-23.
So, instead of praying for a particular place, God’s servants rightly pray for one another and for the peace of the Christian congregation as a whole, which today elevates true worship before others.
When it comes to the meetings of the congregation, are your sentiments like those of the psalmist? Do you rejoice to be with others of like faith? Are you just as concerned about the welfare of the congregation as the psalmist was with the peace of Jerusalem? If this is the case, you are living in harmony with the spirit of Psalm 122.
2007-12-01 20:54:19 · answer #2 · answered by BJ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes, you could certainly pray for peace in the whole world. in fact, every sunday, we include a prayer for world peace in our prayer of the church. will praying for peace bring economic prosperity to a nation or a people? the word "prosper" in the psalms, i think, denotes something other than economic prosperity, although that may be a part of it.
2007-12-01 14:09:44 · answer #3 · answered by Funes De Memorius 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The Lord is not really into the American economy. He is a God of His People not this Nation. Would it help your own life to do so. Yes because it is commanded in that scripture and in other places that we pray for Jerusalem, but the United States for as much as we love her is simply absent from the Bible. In terms of Biblical history we are not a factor.
2007-12-01 14:08:51 · answer #4 · answered by Thomas G 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
The heart of Jerusalem lies within its people. Since Jesus came to make all people equal in the eyes of God, I believe that we are all descendants of Abraham through the blood of Christ. So, to pray for the peace of Jerusalem would be to pray for the peace of your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Through their peace you will prosper.
2007-12-01 14:11:16 · answer #5 · answered by ChaRiaLer 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
My Church has been praying for peace since the day one of the Iraq war. I always pray for this war to end and for our troops to come home safely to us.
2007-12-01 14:17:42 · answer #6 · answered by Pamela V 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
One should note that Psalms is basically just poetry.
For questions concerning prayer, 'Jesus' outlines prayer in Matthew chapter 6.
Essentially, a person is ONLY to offer up the "lord's prayer", which is a prayer of acceptence. Since everything is as the SPIRIT intends. A person isn't supposed to 'pray' for their own 'petty desires', they are to 'trust god' does as god will's and as god wants and how god needs it to be.
I am always astounded by how LITTLE Christians trust the SPIRIT. Do you think your god is some how limited that you have to tell him what you need, how you want it. Get over yourself...if you are going to be a theist, TRUST the SPIRIT.
2007-12-01 14:13:42 · answer #7 · answered by Lion Jester 5 · 0⤊ 4⤋
They are the chosen people. It is written. Western military academies won't even study Israel's wars because the outcomes are too unbelievable. Hum. I for one will do as God commands. Support Israel.
2007-12-01 14:12:18 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
It has much deeper meaning.
2007-12-01 14:07:21 · answer #9 · answered by BOC 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
yes/yes. God will hear/honor any sincere prayer a Christian makes. Plus, how could it hurt?
2007-12-01 14:12:19 · answer #10 · answered by paula r 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋