Slices
Prepare
Think of all that you love about the place where you live, and praise God for his blessings.
Bible passage
A song of ascents. Of David.
1 I rejoiced with those who said to me,
‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’
2 Our feet are standing
in your gates, Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is built like a city
that is closely compacted together.
4 That is where the tribes go up –
the tribes of the Lord –
to praise the name of the Lord
according to the statute given to Israel.
5 There stand the thrones for judgment,
the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
‘May those who love you be secure.
7 May there be peace within your walls
and security within your citadels.’
8 For the sake of my family and friends,
I will say, ‘Peace be within you.’
9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your prosperity.
Explore
This psalm is one that Israelite pilgrims would have sung as they made their way to Jerusalem to celebrate one of the great Jewish festivals (v 4). It is a joyful celebration of the city and all that it stands for, both religiously and politically (vs 1–5). Religiously, Jerusalem is home to the Temple – symbol of God’s presence with his people (v 1). Politically, Jerusalem is the seat of God’s justice – both social and economic – for his people (v 5). Then, as now, what happens in the city shapes the lives, hopes and well-being of those who live beyond the city, and God is interested in every sphere of life.
This song is also a summons to pray for the peace and prosperity of Jerusalem (vs 6–9). The prayer is that the city should be a focus of peace (vs 6–8) – a centre for the flourishing of all creation, living in the presence of God and under his reign. Christians believe that Jesus is the fulfilment of Jerusalem’s religious and political functions. This psalm therefore confronts us with the challenge not only to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and other cities, but also to play our part as children of God in making our cities centres for the flourishing and well-being of all creation.
Respond
Pray for the city, town or village in which you live, that it may be a centre for justice and the flourishing of all God’s creation.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Genesis 43,44; Psalm 10
Pray for Scripture Union
SU in German-speaking Switzerland is developing two new projects. One is a new children’s week that involves parents and family members. The other is two adventure hiking trails in tourist regions. Pray for the development of these two projects, for the right contacts, the necessary permits and the finances.