{"id":1108,"date":"2010-05-09T00:00:01","date_gmt":"2010-05-09T00:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/markdroberts\/2010\/05\/sunday-inspiration-from-the-high-calling-pray-for-the-peace-of-jerusalem.html"},"modified":"2010-05-09T00:00:01","modified_gmt":"2010-05-09T00:00:01","slug":"sunday-inspiration-from-the-high-calling-pray-for-the-peace-of-jerusalem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/2010\/05\/sunday-inspiration-from-the-high-calling-pray-for-the-peace-of-jerusalem.html","title":{"rendered":"Sunday Inspiration from The High Calling<\/em>: Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem"},"content":{"rendered":"
READ Psalm 122:1-9<\/a><\/div>\n
 <\/div>\n

\nPray for peace in Jerusalem.
     May all who love this city prosper.
\n<\/p>\n

Psalm 122:6<\/a><\/div>\n

\nIt seems sadly ironic that Psalm 122:6 is still just as relevant today
\nas it was when it was written, about three millennia ago. If anything,
\nthe peace of Jerusalem is even more fragile and more essential to the
\nwell-being of the world than it was when David first composed the
\nsimple instruction: “Pray for peace in Jerusalem” (122:6). What happens
\nin Jerusalem impacts, not just that city and its surroundings, not only
\nthe people who have a claim upon it, not only the major religions who
\nconsider it holy, but also the peace of the whole Middle East, and
\ntherefore the whole world.<\/p>\n

Almost
\ninevitably, contemporary exhortations to pray for the peace of
\nJerusalem come laden with political theories about how this ought to
\nhappen. Because people differ so profoundly about what should happen in
\nthe conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, prayers for the peace
\nof Jerusalem often create conflict among potential intercessors. Over
\nthe years, I’ve found myself in contexts where praying for Jerusalem
\nimplied a strong pro-Israeli approach. And I’ve found myself in
\nsituations where prayers for Jerusalem take on a distinctively
\npro-Palestinian flavor. <\/p>\n

All of us are entitled to our opinions
\nabout what ought to happen in Jerusalem and the Middle East. But it
\nseems that praying for the peace of Jerusalem should allow us to find
\ncommon ground, relationally and spiritually, even if not politically
\nand strategically. You and I can have strongly held and diametrically
\nopposed views about Middle East policy. But when we come together to
\npray, we come on our knees. In humility, we acknowledge God’s ultimate
\nsovereignty and wisdom. We surrender to God our agendas, our hopes, our
\nbiases, our prejudices. For a moment, we acknowledge the possibility
\nthat our personal perspectives just might be wrong. We bring to God our
\nlonging for true peace, a peace that necessarily includes justice for
\nall peoples. <\/p>\n

To be sure, the debate about the future of
\nJerusalem will continue. And, to be sure, people of goodwill and
\ngenuine faith will often differ, passionately so. But, if we can come
\ntogether on our knees to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, not only will
\nGod hear our prayers and act upon them in his wisdom, but also we might
\njust find a sanctuary of common yearning, a holy place in which to
\ndiscuss our ideas with mutual respect and charity.<\/p>\n

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION<\/strong>:
\nDo you regularly pray for the peace of Jerusalem? Why or why not? Do
\nyou think it’s possible for people with differing political views to
\njoin together in prayer in a way that is respectful and kind? <\/p>\n

PRAYER<\/strong>: First of all, Gracious God,
\nthis psalm reminds me to pray for peace in Jerusalem. And so I do. May
\nthe hostilities in this city cease. May those who live in fear find
\ngenuine comfort. May those in power continually and truly seek your
\nways.<\/p>\n

As an American, I pray especially for the role our nation
\nplays in the Middle East. Grant our leaders supernatural wisdom so they
\nmight find ways to reduce the conflict in that area and help its people
\nfind true peace and justice.<\/p>\n

I must confess, O Lord, that
\npraying for peace in Jerusalem seems almost foolish. How can a place of
\nsuch historic conflict find peace? Yet I pray, not because it makes
\nsense to me, but because I seek to honor and obey you. Besides, who but
\nyou could bring peace to Jerusalem?<\/p>\n

The day will come when you
\nwill bring peace to that city. In the day of the new Jerusalem, you
\nwill dwell among us, and you will wipe away every tear from every eye.
\nDeath, sorrow, crying, and pain will be over. How I long for that day!
\nMay the peace of your kingdom come, on earth, as it is in heaven. Amen<\/em>.<\/p>\n

_________________________________________________<\/p>\n

<\/strong>\"high-calling-screenshot-4.jpg\"Would you like to receive a Daily Reflection like this one in your email inbox each morning?  <\/strong>
\nHere’s how . . . . <\/em><\/strong>
\nThis devotional comes from The High Calling of Our Daily Work <\/em>(www.thehighcalling.org<\/a>), a wonderful website about work and God<\/em>. You can read my Daily Reflections<\/a> there, or sign up to have them sent to your email inbox<\/a> each day. This website contains lots of encouragement for people who are trying to live out their faith in the workplace.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

READ Psalm 122:1-9   Pray for peace in Jerusalem.     May all who love this city prosper. Psalm 122:6 It seems sadly ironic that Psalm 122:6 is still just as relevant today as it was when it was written, about three millennia ago. If anything, the peace of Jerusalem is even more fragile and more essential to…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":214,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1108","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sunday-inspiration"],"yoast_head":"\nSunday Inspiration from The High Calling: Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem - Mark D. 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Roberts","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/f2d\/f2ddf5f080861f66ea230384f9d1bab2x96.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/f2d\/f2ddf5f080861f66ea230384f9d1bab2x96.jpg","caption":"Mark D. Roberts"},"description":"The Rev. Dr. Mark D. Roberts is a pastor, author, retreat leader, speaker, and blogger. Since October 2007 he has been the Senior Director and Scholar-in-Residence for Laity Lodge, a multifaceted ministry in the Hill Country of Texas. Before coming to Laity Lodge, he was for sixteen years the Senior Pastor of Irvine Presbyterian Church in Irvine, California (a city in Orange County about forty miles south of Los Angeles). Before his time at Irvine Pres, Mark served on the staff of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood as Associate Pastor of Education. (Thanks to Janel Pahl for taking the photo to the right.) Mark studied at Harvard University, receiving a B.A. in Philosophy, an M.A. in the Study of Religion, and a Ph.D. in New Testament and Christian Origins. He has taught classes in New Testament for Fuller Theological Seminary and San Francisco Theological Seminary. Mark has written several books, including No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer (WaterBrook, 2005), Dare to Be True (WaterBrook, 2003), Jesus Revealed (WaterBrook, 2002), After \"I Believe\" (Baker, 2002), and Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (Word, 1993). His most recent book is Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (Crossway, 2007). He is currently working on a commentary on Ephesians that will be published by Zondervan in 2014. Mark writes a devotional for The High Calling of Our Daily Work, a website associated with Laity Lodge. His \"Daily Reflections\" can be viewed online or sent as a daily email. If you wish to receive this email, just visit TheHighCalling.org and sign up. Mark serves on the editorial board of Worship Leader magazine, where he publishes articles and reviews, including his regular column \"Lyrical Poetry.\" Additionally, he has published dozens of articles in leading magazines and journals. He often speaks for churches and other Christian groups, and has been interviewed on over seventy-five radio programs nationwide. Mark is married to Linda, who is a Marriage and Family Therapist, a Spiritual Director, and a retreat speaker. They have two children, Nathan and Kara.For Publicity Photos and Bio Statements for Mark, please check here. Mark's Dossier Professional History: Senior Director and Scholar-in Residence, Laity Lodge, October 2007 to present. Senior Pastor Irvine Presbyterian Church, June 1991 to September 2007 Adjunct Assistant Professor Fuller Theological Seminary, 1994 to 2007. Courses: New Testament Theology and Exegesis. Adjunct Instructor San Francisco Theological Seminary, 1995 to 2001. Courses: New Testament Greek and Exegesis Associate Pastor of Education First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, 1987-1991 Teaching Fellow Harvard University, 1980-1983 Education: Ph.D. in the Study of Religion. Harvard University, 1992. Area: New Testament and Christian Origins M.A. in the Study of Religion Harvard University, 1984. A.B. magna cum laude in Philosophy Harvard University, 1979. Phi Beta Kappa; Danforth Fellowship Books: Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Crossway, 2007 No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer. WaterBrook, 2005 Dare to Be True: Living in the Freedom of Complete Honesty. WaterBrook, 2003. Jesus Revealed: Know Him Better to Love Him Better. WaterBrook, 2002. After \"I Believe\": Experiencing Authentic Christian Living. Baker, 2002. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther in the Communicator's Commentary Series. Word, 1993. Contacting Mark: You can reach Mark at: E-mail: mark@markdroberts.com mroberts@laitylodge.org Phone: Laity Lodge: (830) 792-1216 Address: Laity Lodge 719 Earl Garrett Kerrville, TX 78028","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/author\/mroberts"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1108","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/214"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1108"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1108\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1108"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1108"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1108"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}