Why Catholics Should Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem
"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: 'May those who love you prosper!'" -- Psalm 122:6
We all observed the intense developments in the Middle East as the US moved to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program. Soon after, a fragile cease-fire was reached between Israel and Iran, and for now, the missile attacks on the Holy Land have ceased. We are collectively holding our breath to see if it will last. As Catholics, we are called to be people of prayer, intercessors for the world, peacemakers, and guardians of the faith once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3). One of the most powerful yet often overlooked prayers we can offer is the one the Psalmist urged centuries ago: to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. But why should this be a priority for Catholics today?
1. Because Scripture Commands
t The command to "pray for the peace of Jerusalem" comes directly from the Book of Psalms, a core part of the Church's liturgical and spiritual tradition. This is not just a historical or cultural suggestion; it is a divine call rooted in Sacred Scripture. To pray for Jerusalem is to align our hearts with God's revealed will, expressed throughout both the Old and New Testaments. In light of October 7, 2023, and the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, this command from Sacred Scripture becomes even more significant.
2. Because Jerusalem Is at the Heart of Salvation History
Jerusalem is not an ordinary city. It is the city where Abraham brought Isaac in obedience to God, the city where King David expressed the beauty and importance of his kingdom, and the place where the Temple was built as God's dwelling on Earth. Most importantly for Christians, Jerusalem is where Jesus Christ was crucified, died, and rose again. It is also where the Church was founded at Pentecost. To pray for Jerusalem is to pray for the very location where God's salvation plan was fulfilled.
3. Because Our Lord Wept Over Jerusalem
In Luke 19:41, we see Jesus weeping over the city, crying out, "If this day you only knew what makes for peace..." His Sacred Heart was deeply moved for the people of Jerusalem, and His pain was not just for the buildings or land, but for the soul of His people because they did not “know the time of their visitation.” Destruction was coming to Jerusalem. To pray for Jerusalem is to unite our hearts with the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
4. Because the Church Teaches a Special Love for the Jewish People
In Nostra Aetate, the Second Vatican Council affirmed the Church's "spiritual patrimony" with the Jewish people and condemned all forms of antisemitism. Pope St. John Paul II referred to the Jewish people as "our elder brothers in the faith." Pope Leo XIV recently stated, “May nations chart their futures with works of peace, not with violence and blood-stained conflicts!”. Praying for Jerusalem is a way to express our profound love and solidarity with the Jewish people, honoring their vital role in salvation history and our shared hope in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
5. Because We Are Spiritually Grafted In
St. Paul reminds us in Romans 11 that Gentile believers are "grafted" into the olive tree of Israel. We are part of a spiritual heritage that extends from the patriarchs, prophets, and promises given to the Jewish people. Jerusalem should not be a foreign city to Catholics — it is our spiritual geographical locale. The Church Fathers referred to the Holy Land as the fifth Gospel. Jerusalem is at the center. To pray for her peace is to pray for the well-being of our own spiritual family.
6. Because Peace in Jerusalem Reflects God's Universal Peace
Jerusalem remains a spiritual and geopolitical center. Conflict there resonates worldwide. As Catholics, we know that true peace only comes through Jesus Christ; however, we also understand that we are called to be agents of peace through prayer, witness, and proclamation. When we pray for the peace of Jerusalem, we pray for peace in the Middle East, among Jews, Christians, and Muslims, and ultimately, among all nations.
7. Because the Peace of Jerusalem Prepares the Way of the Lord
Finally, as Catholics, we believe in the return of Christ and the final renewal of all creation. While we reject end-time predictions, we look forward to the day when the "new Jerusalem" will come down from heaven, as described in Revelation 21. Our prayer for peace looks forward to the eternal peace promised to everyone who belongs to God.
Let Us Pray
Heavenly Father, You chose Jerusalem as the place where Your Name would dwell and where salvation would be revealed to the world through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Pour out Your peace upon Jerusalem and all who dwell within her. Bring reconciliation among her people, comfort to those who mourn, and justice for all who seek You with sincere hearts. Let peace flow from Jerusalem like a river, reaching every nation and heart. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen
Let every Catholic rediscover the sacred duty—and profound blessing—of praying for the peace of Jerusalem. In doing so, we join the incredible story of salvation, honor our Jewish roots, and prepare the way for the Kingdom of God.