Give Him No Rest! –Why we must Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem
I. PRAYING FOR JERUSALEM IS GOD’S MANDATE FOR EVERY BELIEVER
6I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they shall never hold their peace day or night. You who
make mention of (call upon/pray to) the LORD, do not keep silent, 7and give Him no rest till He establishes
and till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth. (Isaiah 62:6-7)
A. Praying for the peace of Jerusalem is God’s mandate for the entire church (“you who make mention of the Lord”).
B. God commands his people to “give him no rest” until Jerusalem enters into the fullness of her inheritance. The
Peace of Jerusalem is about Israel entering into the fullness of her destiny as spoken by the Old Testament prophets.
C. God is calling the church to give herself in fervent intercession for the salvation of what is (arguably) the most
contentious location on the planet. The ultimate goal of our prayers as the church is seeking the transformation of a
dusty, Middle Eastern town into a city that shows forth the very glory of God. It will cost us all that we have to stand in the
place of prayer for Israel before the Lord returns.
II. PRAYING FOR JERUSALEM IS ABOUT PARTNERSHIP WITH THE HEART OF GOD
A. Praying for the destiny of Jerusalem is about partnership with the heart of a God who has great zeal for this city.
When we talk about praying for Jerusalem, we are talking primarily about partnering with a God who is consumed with zeal
for this city. In other words, we stand with Israel in the place of prayer, because we love Jesus and want to be where He is.
B. The Lord expresses His affections for Jerusalem on many occasions in scripture.
C. The prophet Zechariah sees a vision which depicts the oppressed and depressed state of Israel in the natural in
his day. In response, the Angel of the Lord (pre-incarnate Christ) lifts His voice to declare, “How long will you not have
mercy on Jerusalem?”
D. An answer comes from the throne that describes the heart and affections of God for this rebellious little nation that
has recently returned from captivity:
"Proclaim, saying, "Thus says the LORD of hosts: "I am zealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with great zeal. 15I am
exceedingly angry with the nations at ease; for I was a little angry, and they helped--but with evil intent." 16"Therefore
thus says the LORD: "I am returning to Jerusalem with mercy; my house shall be built in it, says the LORD of Hosts
(Zechariah 1:14-16)
E. God is declaring that the little piece of real estate where they are building is not insignificant, rather it is the object
of his fiery affection. He is telling them, “I have not forgotten! Everything within me is fixed on this piece of property”. He is
zealous or jealous for this small burnt up city of no consequence in the Middle East.
F. Everything that God says and everything He does is for the sake of fulfilling all His promises towards Jerusalem.
For Zion’s sake I will not hold My peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her righteousness goes forth as
brightness and her salvation as a lamp that burns. (Isaiah 62:1)
III. PRAYING FOR JERUSALEM IS ABOUT GOD’S GLORY FILLING THE EARTH
A. Why is God so passionate about this one geographic location? It is difficult to understand this burning zeal of the
Almighty for what seems to be a relatively insignificant city in the Middle East until we understand that it is going to be the
Capital City of the “New World Order” when Jesus returns to restore all things (Acts 3:21).
B. It is important to understand why we are praying for the destiny of Jerusalem, otherwise we will lack motivation to
stand with God for Israel and the city of Jerusalem. The city of Jerusalem is possibly the most controversial (and hated)
city in the whole earth. Before the return of Jesus, scripture is clear that all nations will take a stand against the city of
Jerusalem (Zechariah 12:3; 14:2; Psalm 83:2-8). It is going to become increasingly unpopular to take a stand for this city
in any form. Unless we understand clearly from the Word of God why we are giving ourselves to this City, we will draw back
in the days ahead.
C. The salvation of Israel and the restoration of the city of Jerusalem under the rule of Jesus is at the heart of God’s
plan to establish His Kingdom on the earth in fullness and fill the earth with His glory (Isaiah 11:9; 61:11)
D. God is committed to Israel’s salvation for the sake of His own glory in the whole earth. His plan is to redeem the
whole earth. His vehicle for that strategy is the redeemed and restored nation of Israel under the leadership of Jesus.
God told Abraham (Genesis 12:3) that it was through his descendants that all the nations would be blessed.
22"Therefore say to the house of Israel, "Thus says the Lord GOD: "I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but
for My holy name's sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went. 23And I will sanctify My great
name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know
that I am the LORD," says the Lord GOD, "when I am hallowed in you before their eyes. (Ezekiel 36:22-23)
E. It is through the Seed of Abraham, Jesus, that the nations will be blessed. Part of that blessing (a first fruits) was
released through his death and resurrection, when he won the authority to rule the earth and restore all things. However,
God’s intention is not simply to redeem human spirits but to liberate the whole of creation from the curse (Romans 8:20-24).
F. Jesus did not exercise His dominion over the earth in a manifest political way at His first coming. He will do so when
He returns. The second coming of Jesus marks the beginning of a period of one thousand years commonly called the
Millennium. This period of time is also known as the Time of the Restoration of all Things (Acts 3:21) which is prophesied
throughout the Prophets of the Old Testament.
G. Scripture is very clear that Jesus will rule over an earthly Kingdom that will consume all other kingdoms. When we
pray “Your Kingdom come” we do not realize that there will be a dramatic and literal answer that will disrupt the entire
social order of the planet. God’s plan, through Jesus, is a hostile takeover of planet earth. He is coming back to finish the
job! He will restore all things, bring the whole earth back under the rule of God and fulfill God’s promise to Abraham.
…the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people;
it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. (Daniel 2:44)
H. If Jesus is going to rule literally on the earth then He must rule from a geographic location. Scripture is clear that
he Messiah will rule over David’s Kingdom (kingdom of Israel) and that He will sit on David’s throne (in Jerusalem). For
Jesus to fulfill biblical prophecy, both the nation of Israel and the City of Jerusalem must exist forever. One of Jesus’
names is “Son of David”.
I. God has established Jerusalem as His choice for Jesus’ global headquarters on the earth in the Millennium. Jesus
called it the City of the Great King (Matthew 5:35) for it is the city from which God’s appointed Messiah will rule over the
earth (Isaiah 9:6-7)
13For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place: 14"This is My resting place forever; Here I will
dwell, for I have desired it. (Psalm 132:13-14)
7of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to
order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. (Isaiah 9:6-7)
J. God is absolutely committed to bright righteousness going forth from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth by fulfilling
all His covenant promises to Israel as a nation to save them, restore them and to rule over them from Jerusalem.
I will make the place of My feet glorious. 14Also the sons of those who afflicted you shall come bowing to you, and all
those who despised you shall fall prostrate at the soles of your feet; and they (Gentiles) shall call you The City of the
LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel. 15"Whereas you have been forsaken and hated, so that no one went through you,
I will make you an eternal excellence, a joy of many generations (Isaiah 60:14-15)
K. Before Jesus ascended to heaven after His death, burial, and resurrection, His disciples asked Him when the
political Kingdom would be restored to Israel.
6Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to
Israel?" (Acts 1:6)
L. Jesus does not rebuke His disciples. He does not deny that there will be a physical, political manifestation of His
kingdom. He simply says, that manifestation is not going to take place right now.
IV. PRAYING FOR JERUSALEM IS ABOUT CONTENDING FOR ISRAEL’S SALVATION
A. The Return of Jesus to Jerusalem is contingent on Israel’s acceptance of their Messiah – Jesus.
I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!" (Matthew 23:39)
B. In the days following Pentecost, the focus of Peter’s sermons (Acts 2:36, 3:12,19) was calling the nation of Israel
and the leaders of Jerusalem to repentance and faith in Jesus so that…your sins may be blotted out…that He may send
Jesus Christ who was preached to you before (Acts 3:19-21)
C. Israel’s acceptance of Jesus as her Messiah depends on her being provoked to jealousy by a predominantly
gentile church (Romans 11:11). God’s strategy is to show mercy to Israel through the Gentile church (Romans 11:30-32).
The church becoming a prophetic witness is directly related to her stand for Jerusalem in the place of prayer.
V. PRAYING FOR JERUSALEM IS GOD’S STRATEGY TO RELEASE FULLNESS TO THE GENTILE AND MERCY
TO THE JEW
A. Because Jesus has committed himself to returning as King of the Jews to rule the earth from Jerusalem
(Matthew 23:39), Satan has committed himself to destroying the nation of Israel and the city of Jerusalem. If Satan can
annihilate the Jews, he can prove God a liar and ensure his own survival.
B. Satan will rally the nations of the earth to his cause in the release of an unprecedented wave of global anti-
Semitism. It will culminate in every nation of the Earth actively seeking the destruction of Jerusalem under the leadership
of the anti-Christ. (Psalm 2:1; Psalm 83:5; Joel 3:11; Zechariah 12:2; 14:2; Zephaniah 3:8)
C. The Lord has promised to release a prayer movement at the end of the age to partner with Him by praying for the
salvation of Israel (peace of Jerusalem) and to stand as one with her in the midst of tribulation. God promises He will do
two things related to the salvation of Israel in response to the prayers of the saints:
1. He will release His voice in the earth (Spirit of Prophecy); and
2. He will release supernatural activity in the earth (Judgments against His enemies)
1 For Zion's sake I will not hold My peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until her righteousness goes forth as
brightness, and her salvation as a lamp that burns. 2The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, and all kings your glory.
(Isaiah 62:1-2)
D. Spirit of Prophecy – The release of Prophetic Messengers
I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and daughters will prophesy (Joel 2:28)
1. The Spirit of Prophecy is the Testimony of Jesus (Revelation 19:10). God promises a release of authentic,
Apostolic Christianity in response to the prayers of the saints. God will release revival among the gentiles in order to
provoke Israel to Jealousy.
2. God will raise up messengers who will proclaim with boldness, authority, and clarity the “Gospel of the Kingdom”
(Matthew 24:14) – Especially to unsaved Jews in the midst of tribulation.
E. Signs and Wonders – God’s End Time Activity
I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood, fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into
darkness and the moon into blood, before the great and awesome day of the Lord. (Joel 2:30-31)
F. Salvation and Deliverance in Jerusalem
And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem
there shall be deliverance, as the Lord has said, among the remnant whom the Lord calls (Joel 2:32)
The end result of God’s activity is the deliverance of Jerusalem from her enemies, the salvation of “all Israel” and the
establishing of God’s Kingdom on the earth in fullness.
And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness
from Jacob; for this is my covenant with them, when I take away their sins.” (Romans 11:26 – 27)
G. God’s end time activity is released out of His zeal for Jerusalem and because of God’s people lining up with His
heart and praying for the salvation of Israel with fasting and solemn assemblies across the earth
15Blow the trumpet in Zion, consecrate a fast, call a sacred assembly; 16Gather the people, sanctify the congregation,
assemble the elders, gather the children and nursing babes; Let the bridegroom go out from his chamber, and the bride
from her dressing room. 17Let the priests, who minister to the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar; let them
say, "Spare Your people, O LORD, and do not give Your heritage to reproach, that the nations should rule over them.
Why should they say among the peoples, "Where is their God?"' (Joel 2:15-17)
H. The ultimate task of the “gentile” church is to pray for the salvation of Israel and to provoke the Jews to jealousy (by
becoming a powerful prophetic witness), so that they receive the mercy of God.
VI. GOD IS LOOKING FOR FRIENDS WHO WILL PRAY FOR JERUSALEM
A. Example of King David and the Apostle Paul
1. David was a man “after God’s own heart” and he carried a passion for Zion/Jerusalem like none before him – making
it his capital. His consuming life’s passion was to give himself to establishing a dwelling place for God on the earth. He
knew by revelation that the place was Jerusalem and he spent himself on the task of building a dwelling for God on the
earth in the midst of His people.
Surely I will not go into the chamber of my house, or go up to the comfort of my bed, I will not give sleep to my eyes or
slumber to my eyelids, until I find a place for the Lord…for the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling
place (Psalm 132:3-5; 13)
2. The Apostle Paul
Paul’s intensity was such that he was filled with continual sorrow and grief and that he wished himself accursed for the
salvation of natural Israel. Paul had entered into God’s passion for His glory.
I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, 2that I have great sorrow
and continual grief in my heart. 3For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen
according to the flesh, 4who are Israelites (Romans 9:1-3)
B. God is today calling forth the “set watchmen” from among the gentiles who will carry His heart for Jerusalem,
contend in prayer for the salvation of Israel and “give Him no rest” for Zion’s sake. This prayer movement will culminate
in the return of Jesus, the Salvation of all Israel and the consummation of God’s Kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven.
6Pray for the peace of Jerusalem "May they prosper who love you. 7Peace be within your walls, prosperity within your
palaces." 8For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will now say, "Peace be within you." 9Because of the house
of the LORD our God I will seek your good. (Psalm 122:6-9)