Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem

Yesterday we returned from a 12 day trip of Israel. What a beautiful country it is. I loved the culture and the people-especially the children. I was especially impressed with the sense of peace the Israeli people have. If you walk through their shops or watch them interact with each other you will very seldom see them act in anger. That was surprising to me because the country is surrounded by known enemies who may attack at any time yet they are not allowed to defend themselves without reprisal from the rest of the world. Their tax rate is over fifty percent. Imagine if half of your paycheck went to Uncle Sam. There would more than a little anger boiling over. They have a peaceful demonstration at City Hall-we turn to domestic abuse. I understand that "Pray for the peace" refers more to the volatile situation surrounding their existence as a country and the countries that border them but as a people they are at peace.
However their country is similar to ours in that many have turned away from the Lord. In Judges chapter ten the people of Israel began serving other gods and the Lord became angry with them and sent the armies of Ammon to cross the Jordan and fight the tribes of Judah, Benjamin and Ephraim. I know that many don't believe the Lord works that way any more but this is a clear example of what happens when we turn away from the Lord. He will find a way to wake us up and turn us back to Him. Teshuva in Hebrew means to return to a state of spiritual purity and we are now in a month in the biblical calendar that asks us to examine ourselves and return to the ways of the Lord. We often drift away from what we know is right and that's a normal occurrence for we are human and sinful. In Hebrew it's known as Yetzer Hara or temporary confusion a temporary drifting away. But this is the perfect time for all of us to redirect,get back on track and return to that state of spiritual purity.
The Lord told the Israelites in Judges 10:14 if you want to serve other gods and you are in trouble then let them save you. But the Israelites understood what they had done and in teshuva returned to the Lord and confessed that they had sinned and the Lord saved them.
This is the time that Israel is receiving their wake up call from God and we are also. Our economy is on the brink of collapse and Israel is on the brink of war. It is time to return to the Lord. So instead of praying for the peace of Jerusalem please join me in praying for the salvation of Jerusalem and the salvation of America.
Psalm 27:1 Of David. The Lord is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear?
Psalm 35:3 Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Say to me "I am your salvation."
Psalm 53:6 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When God restores His people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!
Jesus or Yeshua in Hebrew means He saves or salvation. In the Brit Chadasha or New Testament it states:
Luke 1:69 and hath raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
In Romans 11 it talks about Israel being hardened and only a few elect received Yeshua as their salvation. But it's time for the olive branch that had been broken off to be grafted back in again(Romans 11:11.) It is time for teshuva. So please when you pray for the peace of Jerusalem remember also to pray for their salvation.