“Pray the Scriptures for impactful prayers,” the exhortation is repeated time and again. Do we want prayer that has an impact? Today, Psalm 122 will direct our steps and thoughts towards the Lord.
I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the LORD.” Our feet have been standing Within the gates, O Jerusalem!
“What a powerful verse. Think of the sacrifice and courage exhibited for those able to get up and move their bodies in preparation to enter the doors to the house of the Lord in this present time.
The virtual church is wonderful, but the sacrificial act of “going into the house of the LORD” is majestic, glorious, powerful, intimate, . . . real.
Is there no safer house to enter than the house of the LORD?
How wonderful it is to hear of Your promises, of the prophecies fulfilled, and to watch Your Spirit move among believing people:
“But, as it is written, ‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”—(1 Corinthians 2:9).
Dear Lord, increase our trust in You every day. Your Word tells us You
‘reward all those who seek You,’ Hebrews 11:6. When we are present in the house of the Lord, “virtual or live, in spirit and in truth, we’re rewarded. You, Lord, inhabit our praises!
Yes, ‘I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go into the house of the LORD.'”
Psalm 122 continues, Jerusalem is built. As a city that is compact together, Where the tribes go up, The tribes of the LORD, To the Testimony of Israel, To give thanks to the name of the LORD . . .
“You are the risen Lord. We can “see” You (in our hearts) when we gather and give thanks to You.”
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, Prosperity within your palaces.”
“Dear Lord, what is it we desire? Peace and prosperity. Yes, this is the desire You put into the heart of each human being. You show the way in these old songs:
– Look up and seek to trust You Lord, (Psalm 121).
-To cry out to You in prayer, (Psalm 120).
-To give thanks to the name of the LORD, (Psalm 122).
-And “pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
“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.
“Yes, we pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
“There’s confusion in the air, dear Lord. But in Genesis 12:3 You make Yourself clear. Those who love Israel will be blessed and those who curse the land will be cursed. (Genesis 12:3).
The entrance of Your Word gives light and understanding, Psalm 119 reminds us. You didn’t choose Israel or the Jewish nation because they were strong, great, and mighty. The Bible tells us in Deuteronomy 7 that You loved them.
And “we love You because You first loved us,” (1 John 4:19).
From the Jewish nation, imperfect, but chosen by God to be His people, (just as each of us is called by Him). Israel, the Jewish nation was entrusted with Your Law, statutes, leading, and promises such as,
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” Isaiah 9:6.
“Give us a hunger for Your Word and give us understanding in it.
‘Peace be within you.’ Yes, Lord, we choose to open the door of our heart to You, the Messiah, Savior, the Lamb of God.
Let us come into Your house and in remembrance of You, meet You at Your Table. We will take the bread and break it. You were broken for me.
I will drink from the cup. I will receive the cleansing reminder of Your atoning sacrifice for me.
Make us new, today . . .
In Jesus’ name, Amen.”