“For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,
and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet,
until her righteousness goes forth as brightness,
and her salvation as a burning torch.”
– Isaiah 62:1
As the Middle East continues to be a troubled and unsettled region, it’s worth remembering that Jerusalem will always be near and dear to God’s heart. Always. The Bible speaks of God’s longing to bless this ancient city and calls on His people to pray for the city’s peace. Be faithful in doing exactly that. However, followers of Jesus must also be clear-eyed in understanding that very few who live in that city currently call upon Yeshua (Jesus) as their Messiah.
As you pray, don’t just pray for a city or a nation or people’s safety or strength. Pray with urgency for their salvation. That the righteousness and salvation Isaiah spoke of this verse would flow through Jerusalem through saving faith in Jesus Messiah. Romans 11 speaks of a coming day when many from Israel will call on the name of Jesus as Lord. Pray zealously that this time would be now! Pray for the transforming love and peace of Jesus wash across the entire Middle East and all the nations that are currently in conflict.
Pray for radiant righteousness and the light of salvation to flow out of Jerusalem and through the deeply divided and violent lands that so get the world’s attention for all the wrong reasons. #FollowJesus