What does it mean to pray for the peace of Jerusalem?
Praying for the peace of Jerusalem means praying for the Lord’s coming. Jerusalem will have no peace until the Prince of Peace is back in Jerusalem. Therefore, the prayer is essentially “Lord, come quickly,” as John prays in Revelation. It is not merely about human efforts or diplomatic solutions.
Les explains that the Psalm says, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem,” and then asks what that means. His answer is that you pray for the Lord’s coming, because Jerusalem will have no peace until the Prince of Peace is back in Jerusalem. So when you pray for the peace of Jerusalem, you are praying, “Lord come quickly,” as John does in Revelation. This fits the surrounding context that the world will not have peace on this earth until the Prince of Peace comes, and that human institutions and plans will not solve all the world’s problems.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.
He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.