JERUSALEM

Today's reading: Psalm 122-124

"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May all who love this city prosper." Psalm 122:6 NLT

Here's the thing:

We don't have to understand the politics of the turmoil in Israel.

We don't have to have a firm grasp on the history of this hard-fought-for nation.

We don't have to be able to read Hebrew or understand the many traditions followed in this ancient city.

We don't even have to know where it is on a world map.

What we do have to do? We have to pray for the peace of this country, and this city.

God, through David, gave us the instruction.

This simple verse tells us to do it.

The command is not wrapped up in a tidy package of 'why's'.

The request is not made by someone you cannot trust.

The summons to dip your toe in the waters of world events is not dependent upon whether you've ever been there or will ever go there.

God pleads with us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

A city close to His heart. 

And, to be quite honest, if it's close to His heart--shouldn't it be close to ours?