Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem
I am reprinting here a devotional written by one of my congregation's Elders, David Heym. I found it a very appropriate reflection and prayer for our time. I asked him if I could share it with you, and he agreed.
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Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Psalm 122: 6-9, John 14:25-27
Psalm 122: 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May they prosper who love you. 7 Peace be within your walls, and security within your towers." 8 For the sake of my relatives and friends I will say, "Peace be within you." 9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your good
John 14: 25 "I have said these things to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, says the psalmist. This advice, 3000 years later, is still necessary. John quotes Jesus saying that He is giving us the Holy Spirit and leaving us peace. Why do we read about Gaza and all the terrible things happening in Israel? Why do we witness high unemployment, and people losing their homes? Perhaps our society has not followed what Jesus taught us.
God created us in His image but certainly not with his knowledge and power. The world is not a simple place and we have to struggle mightily to comprehend even the small area that we occupy. There are no simple answers, and the questions are very difficult.
Since we were given the Holy Spirit to teach us, I guess it is up to us to pay attention. What does this mean? We need to pray. We need to search for ways to be attuned to what God desires of us. Attending worship and church activities certainly are primary ways for us to get into tune. In today’s world we are overwhelmed with demands on our attention; many, many of those demands appeal to our selfish desires. Desires created by advertising directed at our insecurity.
If we pray on a regular schedule, and make sincere effort to let God guide us toward goals that are unselfish and strive toward peace, then we can be part of the team that will bring peace. That would be a blessing for all.
Prayer.
Dear God. Thank you for the Holy Spirit. We long for its guidance. We want its advice. Help us to search for and practice the activities that will let us discern what the Holy Spirit knows will fulfill these desires. In Your Son’s name. Amen.
Thought for the day: Am I listening to the Holy Spirit?
David Heym
Troy, Michigan.
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