”Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.” Psalm 122:6-7
When the Bible talks about peace, shalom, it ́s not only about there not being war, but instead about harmony, wholeness and unity. Peace is therefore reconciled rela- tionships, the healing of wounds and love in action. Peace demands a meeting point, an authentic relation- ship – getting to know my opposite. You can ́t reach true peace just with words on a piece of paper, but it is dependent upon transformed hearts.
Paul encourages us in the book of Romans to let our- selves be changed by the transforming of our minds, to really love one another and keep peace with all people, as long as it ́s up to us.
We are encouraged to let the peace and harmony that God wants to give to reign in our lives. It is a fruit of fel- lowship in the Holy Spirit and is an inner transformation in us that spreads God ́s kingdom of peace in and around our lives.
Jerusalem is central in the story of how God wants to create peace. Here we have the temple – the meeting point between God and man. And here Jesus sacrificial service took place when He fulfilled the demands of the law upon the cross and reconciled us with God. The name Jerusalem is built around the word shalom and means the residence of peace. Through His Holy Spirit God wants to restore your life as a residence of peace. /Mikael TIlly
Prayer
– Pray that wars will cease.
– Pray for true shalom for Israel ́s people.
– Pray that God ́s kingdom of peace will spread in our lives and in our world.
