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 companion 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
The Pentecost Prayer Group is a small group of women who, as people of the nations, take pleasure in praying for the peace of Jerusalem and the welfare and salvation of the people of the nation of Israel. We do not only pray for Israel and their salvation but for people from the nations. Someone prayed for us hence we came to know the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour. However, we see praying for Israel of vital importance in fulfilling a high call of obedience to this instruction given in the Word of God (Psalm 122:6). Note the specificity of that instruction and the blessing for those who pray for Israel. When you read the entire Bible, there is not another city or nation that we are given that specific instruction with a promised blessing. Questions often arise, example, so should we not pray for all peoples? What is so special about Israel? Israel don't believe in Jesus Christ as the Messiah nor accept the New Testament how will they hear us? Surprisingly, these questions are often asked by Christians - believers in the Lord Jesus Christ who are themselves enjoying this wonderful gift of salvation which was first ministered to the Jews - Romans 1:16, Paul wrote, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jews first, and also to the Greek." (Gentiles). In John 1:11-12, the Word of God says, "He came to His own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him to them gave He power to become the sons of God even to them that believe on His name." How can we forget Israel when we, the people of the nations were engrafted in the True Vine Yeshua Hamashiach? God forbid! Indeed the first group of Christians were Jews only! Cornelius and his household were the first group of Gentiles who became Christians! Gentiles were not being evangelised prior to this but God through His love sent the Way, the Truth and the Life - Jesus Christ His Son who was willing to die for all mankind. Now more that ever we need to pray for Israel given the rising tide of global anti-semitism.