God cares for all cities, but he has a special love for the city of Jerusalem. It is special because God chose it as the physical place that would house his uncontainable presence. And since Jerusalem was once the physical address of the Great House of God, as it will again one day be the home of his holy temple, we ought to do everything we can now to contribute to its prosperity.
Read: Psalm 122 // Focus: Psalm 122:6-7
Why should we pray for the peace and prosperity of a city that is not even in out country? My goodness, don’t we have enough to worry about in my our own community much less one that’s clear across the ocean! And why should Jerusalem get singled out for special attention? What about London or Moscow or Pretoria or Sao Paolo, or for heaven’s sake, Washington, DC? Aren’t those cities important to God?
Photo Credit: Debbie Martin
Well yes, those cities are important to God—all cities are! But Jerusalem is special. It’s special because God chose it as the physical place that would house his uncontainable presence. He selected the land of Canaan as the place where his people would live, Jerusalem to be the city where his temple would be constructed, and the sanctuary of that temple would serve as the central location for his people to worship him.
And even though there is no longer a temple, it is very clear from Scripture that Jerusalem will feature prominently in God’s grand plan for the eternal ages, where once again, Zion will be the central place in the entire universe, in all creation, where redeemed beings will gather to worship Almighty God.
That should be reason enough to love Jerusalem. That is plenty of motivation to pray for the city above all others. Since Jerusalem factors significantly with the people and purpose of God, we should go out of our way to be protective of it. (Psalm 122:8) And since it was once the physical address of the Great House of God, and one day will be again, we ought to do everything we can to contribute to its prosperity. (Psalm 122:9)
Prayer for Jerusalem at the excavated site near what is believed to be the Holy of Holies. Photo Credit: Sheryl Landis
Perhaps you have never been to Jerusalem, and maybe you don’t give the city much thought. I want to challenge you to rethink that—on both levels. Do what you can to go there—make plans to go there at least once in your life. And in the meantime, consciously pay more attention to its goings on, keep your eye out for news about it, attend functions in support of it, and most of all, pray for it!
Do all that, and sooner or later, you will fall in love, like I have, with a city. There’s no place like it!
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, lift up your gates and sing,Hosanna, in the highest, hosanna to the king. By the way, when you take care of the things God cares about, and he very definitely cares for Jerusalem, then you will find this major blessings coming back upon your life: God will care for the things you care about!
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