S) "6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
'May they prosper who love you.
7 'May peace be within your walls,
And prosperity within your palaces.'
8 For the sake of my brothers and my friends,
I will now say, 'May peace be within you.'
9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your good."
Psalm 122:6-9 (NASB)
O) David began this psalm, recalling his joy to be going to worship the LORD his God (v.1). It was his great pleasure to bring the ark of the LORD into Jerusalem (see 2 Samuel 6), because he so longed to worship his God freely. It was his heart's desire to build a permanent temple for the LORD, but he was prevented from doing so (see 1 Chronicles 22:7-9). So instead, as we read in 1 Chronicles 22, David made preparations for his son Solomon, to build the temple. But here, in the above Psalm, we see another sort of provision. We see a prayerful provision. David prayed that the city would be blessed when he was gone, with peace and prosperity, so that the people and their God could enjoy the presence of each other.
A) This passage gives direct prayers that I can adopt. In the past, I have seen the biblical instruction to pray for my city and community, because their prosperity meant my prosperity. In this passage, though, I also see that when my city is blessed, the LORD is also blessed. When my church is free to worship the LORD the way we are meant to worship Him, because of the peace and prosperity we enjoy, then He is blessed the way He deserves to be blessed.
P) Father God, You are worthy of every praise and all worship. It is my heart's desire to praise Your name freely, and to worship You without hindrance. So God, please bless those who love Your church, and those who love Bothell, and Washington. May there be peace in my city and state, and prosperity within our homes. For the sake of my brothers and friends, may peace be within our community. For the sake of Your house, LORD my God, I seek their good. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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