ARE WE OBLIGATED TO PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM?

There are many well-meaning Christians who say that we as believers are obligated to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. They use the Old Testament book of Psalms to justify this, where it says: “Pray for peace in Jerusalem. May all who love this city prosper.” Psalm 122:6 NLT

But, is this really so?

For decades, Christians have been praying for the peace of Jerusalem, and yet, there is still no peace today in Jerusalem. Far from it! Instead, great civil unrest exists in Jerusalem among Jews, Christians, Muslims, Arabs, and Palestinians.

The Bible though speaks about a day that is coming when there will be peace in Jerusalem. This will be orchestrated by the Antichrist, the false Messiah. He will bring a false peace treaty to Israel and the Middle East. You can read this in the book of Daniel and 1. Thessalonians where it speaks about the Antichrist bringing peace.

And in his place shall arise a vile person, to whom they will not give the honor of royalty; but he shall come in peaceably, and seize the kingdom by intrigue. Daniel 11:21 NKJV

Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you.  For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.  When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 NLT

Jesus Christ will return! He is not coming to establish Israel’s earthly kingdom. Jesus is forming the Church, His Body, to influence the heavenly places:

“God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display His wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was His eternal plan, which He carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Ephesians 3:10-11 NLT

Never once did Jesus, nor the apostle Paul or the other disciples in the New Testament, instruct us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Why? Because that is not what God, through the Holy Spirit is doing today!

As a matter of fact, the apostle Paul urge us to pray for all people and ask God to help them, to intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them! He also says to pray this way for kings and all who are in authority, so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity, because this is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth! (See 1 Timothy 2:1-4)

To make it clear what the Bible says what will happen in last days, is that the Antichrist, the false messiah, will come first, followed by the true Messiah, Jesus Christ, who will reign over the holy city, the New Jerusalem coming down from God out of Heaven, the city of peace where righteousness lives for eternity with those who belong to Him! (See Revelation 21+22)