What is the mission of Jerusalem? Read Psalm 122. Psalm 122 is called a pilgrimage prayer. Someone has traveled to Jerusalem to worship in the house of the Lord. In this psalm of praise, a mission for the city of Jerusalem is revealed. Whether intentional or unintentional, the mission of the city is for the people to live in peace and gain prosperity. Jerusalem is not the first name that city had. Before it was Jerusalem, the name of the city was Salem. Salem means peace. The Jebusites built a fort on Mount Zion and occupied the city of Jerusalem before King David made the city the capital of Israel around 1000 B.C. David’s son, Solomon, became king and The Temple built on Mount Zion and the people prospered during the mostly peaceful 40 years under Solomon. For three thousand years, people have looked to Jerusalem as the city of peace, praying for peace, seeking peace. Certainly this pilgrimage was so inspired by his visit to Jerusalem that he wrote these words,

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

   ‘May those who love you be secure.

May there be peace within your walls

   and security within your citadels.’

For the sake of my family and friends,

   I will say, ‘Peace be within you.’

For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,

   I will seek your prosperity.”

As followers of Jesus Christ we find peace through a relationship with Jesus. We continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, for peace in our communities, and for peace in our hearts.



Holy God, let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me. We seek to live in peace with you and with one another. We pray for wars to cease. May the people within our communities seek to live in peace with one another. We lift up victims of violence everywhere and help them heal in the aftermath of tragedy. Amen.