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Pray For The Peace of Jerusalem


How painful to watch the escalating tension currently in Israel which has led to numerous stabbings and attacks. I have just returned from Jerusalem where some friends and I witnessed a confrontation between Palestinian women and the police at Lion's Gate. We quickly sized up the situation and made a hasty retreat but were somewhat shaken by the intensity of the affray. It was only a few days later when a Palestinian stabbed two Israelis and started shooting wildly into the crowd at this very spot. The stabbings have continued daily throughout the city since this incident. 

 I appeal to my Christian friends to continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May the anger be restrained! We know terrorism changes nothing, but only deepens the wounds which already exist. I grew up in N.Ireland during the Troubles and can testify that three decades of terrorism changed nothing politically! Hurt was added to hurt, families were broken, fear increased and daily life was frequently disrupted. For what? NOTHING changed politically. Political change has come only through dialogue and the laying down of arms. For the most part we have peace, although there are still manifestations of unrest and evil from time to time. There will be no true peace in this world until the Prince of Shalom, the Messiah, comes back and stands on the Mount of Olives (Zechariah 14:4). Until then we must contend in prayer for the restraint of evil!

Pool of Bethesda

 Jerusalem is a place where the power of God resides more than in any other city I've ever visited. After all, it is the City of the Great King where God has placed His name. My friend, Karen and I decided to visit the Pool of Bethesda one afternoon as it was closed on previous attempts.  We had been on the ramparts of the Old City and Karen had complained of swollen knees. As we stood high above one of the cisterns, we prayed for each other and the presence of the Lord was keenly felt. Karen testified that her knees felt much better. This was in the place where the man had been healed by Jesus after an illness of 38 years.
  
In the midst of all the pain and trials of life, Yeshua still heals those who come to Him to seek His help. He is alive! His desire is to save, heal and restore. That is why He died on the cross and took our sins so we could have a relationship with the Living God!

Golgotha

This trip to Israel during the Feast of the Tabernacles left many profound impressions as we visited various venues and events. It was a privilege to be with a group of choice Christians from different parts of the world and to experience God in a very special way.

 My deepest impression is the need to pray for the peace of Jerusalem as never before. God's timetable will surely unfold as He has ordained and perilous times will come, but our present desire is for peace and preservation of life.

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