Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you. (Psalm 122:6)

We all want peace, especially in these days with so many troubles and conflicts going on. What could this verse mean in today's days? Yes, indeed, it tells us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, but what else does this passage want to tell us? It has to do with the promise of God toward His nation, Israel. He promises in His word that they will come to the acknowledgment of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Even though they are God’s nation, they will not be saved exclusively because of that.

“Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.” (Matthew 3:8, 9)

This passage was directed to them, saying that they also need repentance and will not be saved only because they are the seed of Abraham. God has for them the same desire He has for everyone: that they can know Him fully and have a relationship with Him. This could be done only in one way, and this is through repentance. This repentance is possible because of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. This is the desire of God toward them. The Bible states in Romans 11:5 that there will be part of them that will acknowledge that.

“Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.” (Romans 11:5)

Knowing God is the ultimate goal, and knowing Him brings an indescribable peace. Jesus is the prince of peace. This is the peace we should be praying for when praying for them. Yes, of course, we also desire for all the conflicts to stop and to be no conflicts anymore, but God said that the ultimate peace will be in His kingdom and not here on earth. There will often be tribulations here because this world is corrupt. The peace we experience with Jesus starts here by knowing him and continues throughout eternity when that peace is complete. Jesus didn’t say we will be spared from trials and tribulations here.

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, emphasis added)

We will have them, but He promised to accompany us by leaving us His peace. This is true for Israel as well as for us.

“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20) 

To be reconciled with God means that we are at peace with Him. This is His desire for us. So, when we pray for Israel, we need to desire above all that God’s plan could be accomplished for them, which is to be reconciled with God. This is the true peace that needs to come to Jerusalem. This is His plan for them. Not only to be at peace here. There is an enemy, and he will do everything possible to distract us and to put us through trials. We endure through the strength of God in our lives. Finally, there will be the celestial Jerusalem, which God has promised. (Revelation 21:1, 2)

There is an eternal promise for Israel and us. There will be an eternal peace with Jesus. Not here on earth. We seek for it here; we try to avoid conflicts, but there will always be something disturbing us. Above all, here, we need to look for the peace He offers to our souls.