CHRISTIANITY'S JEWISH ROOTS
Day to Pray: The Jerusalem
Peace Initiative
By Nena Benigno
CBN Correspondent
CBN.com
-- “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May they prosper
who love you. Peace be within your walls, Prosperity within your palaces.’
For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will now say, ‘peace be
within you.’ Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek your
good” (Psalm 122:6-9).
Thousands of Christians from all over the world visiting Israel for the Feast
of Tabernacles gathered recently to launch the International Day of Prayer
for the Peace of Jerusalem.
Israeli government leaders, including Knesset [parliamentary] members Dr.
Yuri Shtern and Gilad Erdan; Chief Rabbi of Efrat, Israel, Dr. Shlomo Riskin;
and Christian ministry heads, including CBN founder and chairman Dr.
M.G. Pat Robertson; gathered at the Wohl Rose Garden bordering the Israel
Knesset for the historic global prayer initiative.
Christian congregations in more than 70 nations, including 2,000 evangelical
Christians gathered in a rented stadium in Paris, France, prayed simultaneously
with the assembly in Jerusalem.
This prayer initiative, organized by Eagles' Wings ministry, with the help
of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ), serves to set apart
the first Sunday of October, the season of the Feast and Yom Kippur, as a
global prayer day for peace in Jerusalem.
Although one of the most embattled cities of the world, Jerusalem is nonetheless
beloved by God and will one day be the site of Christ's return as Yeshua HaMashiach
("Jesus the Messiah" in Hebrew). As the prophet Zechariah puts it,
“He who touches you [Jerusalem] touches the apple of His [God’s]
eye” (Zechariah 2:8).
Special guests at the prayer launch took turns expounding on the vital need
for prayer warriors and allies for Jerusalem, and expressed their commitment
to stand as “watchmen,” or intercessors, for the land.
Knesset member Dr. Yuri Shtern, co-chairman of the Christian Allies Caucus,
thanked Christians for the sincerity of their long-term support for Israel.
"Who can we rely upon? Only those people who believe in God, you the
Christian people of the world who believe in the Bible," he said. "Your
support for Israel is not conditioned by the [pressures from the] oil market,
by money, but by your faith."
Rabbi Dr. Schlomo Riskin thanked the Christians for their show of support.
He said that the prospect of a world where "nation shall not lift up
sword against nation seems like a far-fetched dream." But he added, "The
presence of thousands of Christians in Israel makes this dream a reality,
you and the 70 to 80 million evangelical Christians who have held out your
hand and embraced us with your love and your faith. Together, we must make
certain that Jerusalem, the City of Peace, is not only our destination, but
our united destiny …. the universal beginning of world peace, through
your love and with God’s direction."
The prayer convocation ended with the entire crowd praying simultaneously,
each in his or her own language, for the peace of Jerusalem.
Nena Benigno is the head writer of the Christian Broadcasting Network Asia
and scriptwriter of The 700 Club Asia.
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