It's at times like this when I am glad my assembly is not a member of any denomination or church hierarchy. The World Council of Churches has announced it plans to hold a special "prayer week" next month, marking the 40th anniversary of the Six Day War and the reunification of the city of Jerusalem. During this week, the organization will encourage their member churches to "pray" for the situation in the Middle East, to raise awareness of the conflict in churches and communities across the world, and to urge world governments to call for an end to hostilities between Israel and the Palestinians.

Quote: "Events are taking place in 14 countries with news still coming in from the 100-plus countries in the membership of the WCC and Pax Christi as well as the Lutheran World Federation, which has endorsed the initiative. Jerusalem prayers and readings have been distributed around the world and many regard them as a special form of solidarity with those living through their 40th year of occupation. Many churches are planning to hold services at the same time as in Jerusalem. The search for peace between Israelis and Palestinians has been on the agenda of WCC governing bodies since 1948. "Judging from the frequency with which it arises, its importance to member churches has only grown as conflict and crisis continue," the WCC said.

I said not so long ago, it seems every company, organization and political or religious body in the world seems to be involved in this Middle East conflict in one way or another. As the Scriptures state, the issue of Jerusalem has literally become a "burdensome stone" to all people (Zechariah 12:3). Sadly most of these groups take an unscriptural view of the conflict, and are trying to achieve the impossible - peace between two irreconcilable enemies. Not particularly Israeli and Palestinian enemies, for these enemies can be reconciled through Christ - and there are many Palestinians that worship the Lord with Jewish believers in Messianic gatherings. But the two irreconcilable enemies are the seed of the woman (Christ) and the serpent (Satan), Genesis 3:15. Satan's ultimate goal is to destroy God's plan for the world, and his best attempt at bringing this to pass is through destroying the one nation that His plan is founded on - the Jewish people. 

As Christians it is important for us to pray with understanding of what the Scriptures state. The Scriptures outline God's ultimate plan for mankind, and if we start praying without consulting the Scriptures on a particular subject, we may well find ourselves working against God's will. Such was the case in the Old Testament, when the Lord wanted to bring Israel under the yoke of Babylon to correct their sin. But rather than repenting of their sin, the king believed the false prophets who told him that within two full years, the Lord would break the yoke of Babylon off Israel's neck (Jeremiah 28:2-3). It never happened. 

We should pray for the peace of Jerusalem as the Psalms direct us to. Peace can come on an individual level, and God can miraculously protect His people as He chooses. But we must pray and work according to God's will. Like the false prophets in the Old Testament, the World Council of Churches is attempting to bring peace to the Middle East on a national level, while the Bible states there will be no peace. Their view on the ongoing conflict - that Israel has "occupied" the east of the city, Judea and Samaria - will ultimately bring the World Council against the Lord in the final battle for Jerusalem.

Ezekiel 13:15-6
Thus will I accomplish my wrath upon the wall, and upon them that have daubed it with untempered [morter], and will say unto you, The wall [is] no [more], neither they that daubed it; [To wit], the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and [there is] no peace, saith the Lord GOD.

Source Christian Today