Help with How to 'Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem’
On October 7th, I found myself in Jerusalem, preparing to depart for my journey back to England. Little did I know that my stay would take an unexpected turn. The wailing sirens cut through the air, signalling an incoming threat, and we had to seek shelter in a bunker. Amid the chaos of explosions and the heavy breathing of my family members, finding the right words to pray seemed nearly impossible. The turmoil and uncertainty at that moment left me in a state of speechless contemplation. We weren't concerned with choosing sides; all we wished for was an end to the rocket attacks.
We still wish for the peace to be restored on all sides.
In the midst of such turmoil, it became clear to me that we must pray for the peace of Jerusalem while considering the grand narrative that God has been weaving with His people in Israel. Recently, my attention was drawn to an interesting Cambridge Paper1 by Revd Dr Peter Walker from 1996, offering an alternative perspective on the conflict over Jerusalem and the land of Israel/Palestine and guiding us in how to think biblically about it.
Prior to my encounter with this paper, I, like many others, believed I had already formed my opinion on the Israel-Palestine issue. However, it's clear that this complex situation is far from clear-cut. Peter Walker reminds us that regardless of our stance on the matter, Jerusalem holds a unique place in the hearts of both God and humanity. He raises crucial questions that prompt us to reframe our understanding of our role as Christians in relation to this sacred land:
How does our faith in Christ affect our attitude toward this unique city?
What is the significance of Jerusalem in God's purpose after Jesus’ first coming?
Should we support Israel or Zionism?
Does it matter to us, as Christians, who controls Jerusalem?
How should we 'pray for the peace of Jerusalem' (Psalm 122:8)?
I am gradually discovering that viewing this conflict through the lens of Scripture may hold the key to finding peace in our hearts. While it might not offer the easy answers I initially sought, it is contributing to my understanding of the ongoing quest for peace between the Arab and Jewish communities in the region. As explained in Walker's paper, Jerusalem has been heavily politicized for centuries. This calls for a fresh perspective on how we perceive Jerusalem and its inhabitants, when we, as Christians, are called to act ethically and responsibly in the world around us.
The words of Micah 6:8 resonate with this call for ethical responsibility: "to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God." Our ethical responsibility, rooted in the wisdom of the Scriptures, should guide our prayers and support for the land of Israel and the surrounding territories.
If you're interested in delving deeper into this topic, I highly recommend reading Peter Walker's article, which remains very relevant and can be found here.
Ruben Alarcon
10.31.2023
The views and opinions expressed above are those of the author alone and do not necessarily reflect those of the Jubilee Centre or its trustees.
