I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.”

Our feet are standing in your gates, O Jerusalem.

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.

My initial reaction to this psalm is that David gives us great insight of what intercession means through this psalm. He lifts high a prayer to the LORD for the protection and deliverance of Jerusalem--the city where his kingdom and his people reside. David shows us what it means to intercede, especially for a city and its people when he cries out, “May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels” (v. 6-7). 

I am thankful for David’s example because at times it can seem a real challenge for me intercede through prayer. I have a hard time conceptualizing what intercession looks like, but here David gives us a specific prayer that he prayed for the city of Jerusalem, and he shows us things (peace & security) that we can intercede for in regards to places as well as people. We have the blessed opportunity to pray for the things that are dear to our hearts. We have the blessed opportunity to lift high our brothers and sisters in Christ in prayer. We have the blessed opportunity to pray and intercede for a broken world that is in need of Jesus. My prayer for you is that you would be reminded of the value of intercession, and desire to incorporate this gift into your daily walk with God. Intercession truly is a powerful gift from God! 

Holy Spirit, we render our hearts to You. Lead us into prayers of intercession for people, for places, and for God’s kingdom to come. Jesus, as you prayed for us and the world before You died on the cross, we want to imitate You and intercede for others that they may know Your great love for them! Help us to step out of our comfort zone in faith that You will use us to do great things for Your kingdom. Thank You, Holy Spirit for continually interceding on our behalf. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.