Praying For Our Community And Church

Psalm 122:1-9

A Song of degrees of David

“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.” (Psalm 122:1)

It is wonderful to meet with my brothers and sisters in a place where we spend time with other people from our family, reminiscing and sharing the things we have  done together, sharing our dreams and the things we learn day by day and enjoying the times we have had together with our parents.    The pleasure is only possible because of the things our parents have done to enable us to have those experiences.   

For the Christian, coming to the Lord’s house ought to be the same as going back to a happy home and visiting with one’s parents and siblings.  It ought to be a time of sharing and enjoyment, because of the Things God and Christ have done for us.  In David’s day that meant going to the Temple in Jerusalem.  Today, it means going to our local church.    

“Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.   Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:  Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD.  For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.” (Psalm 122:3-5)

Jerusalem was built as a place for the people to worship God.  It was the site of the temple, but it was also the site of Israel’s earthly government, and all the tribes came together, at least three times a year to worship and praise God.  In addition they came to Jerusalem for help in settling disputes and to learn what God commanded.  It was an illustration of the role the church should play in a Christian’s life. 

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.   Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.  For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.  Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good.” (Psalm 122:6-9)

David advised the people to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, that it would prosper for the sake of His friends and relatives, and because it was where they worshipped God.  Paul encourages Christians to pray in similar fashion for our countries and communities in I Timothy 2:1-4.  “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”

Unfortunately, some have focused so much on David’s instruction to the Jews to pray for Jerusalem they have neglected to pray for their own churches, communities, and leaders.