Amidah 14 – Prayer for the Rebuilding of Jerusalem

"Return in mercy to Jerusalem your city, and dwell in it as you have promised. Rebuild it soon in our day as an eternal structure, and quickly set up in it the throne of David. Blessed are you, O Lord, who rebuilds Jerusalem."

If there is one city that means more to the world than any other, it is Jerusalem. Many nations have their key cities whether it be political (like Washington DC) or cosmopolitan (like New York City). They city of Jerusalem is both for much of the world.

Jerusalem is both the capital and cosmopolitan center of the Hebrew people. The world sees this city as a place of God. Indeed it is the most holy city of the Jews, Christians and Islamic people. The Temple of the Jews was located on Temple Mount in this city … before the Romans destroyed it in 70 A.D. Now the Dome of the Rock is on Temple Mount, the third holiest place in the world for the Moslem. This is the place of Mohammad’s night journey to heaven.

Jesus came to the Temple in Jerusalem on many occasions. In His last days Jesus was tried in this city, He was crucified and buried outside the city. And Jesus’ resurrection took place near this city.

It is believed that Jerusalem is the place where Abraham offered his son Isaac. It was here that King David purchased the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. Solomon built the Temple at this location. The Jewish people pray for the restoration of Jerusalem as it was in the time of Solomon, a place of worship of our God.

This city has been fought over many times, and worship has been restored when it has been lost. The Maccabees captured this city in 165 BC, and restored worship in the Temple on the holiday called Chanukah.

The Bible says,
“Jerusalem is built like a city
that is closely compacted together.
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.
There the thrones for judgment stand,
the thrones of the house of David.
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 brothers 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.” (Psalm 122:3-9)

The very name of Jerusalem means Foundation of Peace. Although the city has often been fought over, there is more to this peace than the warring of men. They city represents Peace with God.

In the days of the kings, the Levites and the Cohen were responsible for sacrificing sheep and bulls to atone for sin. The scripture says, “the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” (Hebrews 9:22)

Annually the High Priest would select a lamb, take its blood and place it on the Mercy Seat in the Holy of Holies to atone for sins of the people of Israel and to bring the peace which comes with the forgiveness of sin.

This was but a foreshadowing of what was to come as God sent His own Son into the world to die on the cross so our sin could be atoned for and all men could find peace with God. The apostle Paul wrote: “Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 3:1-6)

Jerusalem is to be the foundation of peace. In Jesus Christ we find atonement for sin. John the Apostle wrote: “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:7-10)

This is the city of God. Jerusalem is to be a place of peace. We are to pray for the rebuilding of this city which is from God. “I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:2-4)

Pray for the Rebuilding of Jerusalem and for this city of peace.