” Prayer First and Continue the Work ” by Joann Thornton.
Ever had something weighing so heavy on your mind that you’re distracted in other responsibilities? Ever find your mind wandering from the job right in front of you and your heart in other places? Have you ever been anxious after taking on a job and discovering that it was bigger than you expected? Have you ever endured criticism and opposition while trying to do good for the benefit of others?
If so, we find ourselves in good company. Nehemiah of the old testament was a cupbearer to the King of Persia. Nehemiah 1:3 tells us that he learned news that the walls of his home city of Jerusalem were broken down. This news so grieved him that he mourned heavily for many days. But when faced with this grievous news, Nehemiah exemplified a posture and process that will work for us today as we face difficult life situations.
Nehemiah immediately began to fast and pray. Recorded in Nehemiah 1:5-11 is his very specific prayer of worship, petition and repentance. The state of his country weighed heavy on his heart and as he went to prayer, God began to place a plan in his mind. As we follow his story, we see that Nehemiah already had favor with the King who granted him papers to travel across borders, as well as, compile materials needed to begin the project of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. From the very beginning, Nehemiah faced trepidation of his own brethren and opposition from enemies. While attending to the many responsibilities of building, he also had to organize workers, mediate disputes between families, schedule watchmen on the walls and recognize those that were a hinderance to the work. Doesn’t this sound like details we must navigate as we walk with God and strive to do His will? As people of prayer, we all must fight for our families, churches, communities and country. And, we are often grieved to see the many areas that are broken and in great need of repair.
We find such a clear example to follow in Nehemiah. With every new distraction, his response is: Prayer first, then he continues the work. As another threat arose and he assessed each new challenge, Nehemiah would again follow the same process: Prayer first, and then continue the work. [Nehemiah 1:5, 2:4, 4:4-5, 5:19, 6:9]
In all of these challenges, at least 11 times, Nehemiah prayed first, then continued the work. And, Nehemiah accomplished what he intended to do in a miraculously short time. In 52 days, the wall was finished. This tried and true method is still powerful and effective today. Let’s Pray first and continue the work. God is with us and for us. He will help us build.
FROM: Ladies Prayer Intl January 2023 – UPCI Ladies Ministries – ladiesprayerinternational@aol.com