21 Days of Prayer (Renew, Rebuild, Restore)Chikamu

Lessons on re-building from Nehemiah 

One of the greatest stories of re-building is from the book of Nehemiah in the Bible. The principles can be applied to any area of our lives – whether it is re-building our personality, re-building a broken relationship or re-building an institution.

Cause – To re-build, we first need a cause. Nehemiah was burdened by the fact that his fellow Jews in Jerusalem were living in deep distress and constant fear because their city wall had been broken down (Nehemiah 1:30).

Cry & Confess – Nehemiah wept, mourned, fasted, prayed and waited on the Lord for forty days. He confessed the sins of Israel. We need to take up our cause to God with the same intensity, not with a casual approach (Nehemiah 1:4-11).

Courage & Consent – (Nehemiah 2:1-11) God gave Nehemiah, a humble refugee, the courage to make his request to King Artaxerxes, the most powerful man in the world. The result was a go-ahead with Z+ category security for the 1300 km journey to build Jerusalem’s wall – from the very king who had earlier ordered that Jerusalem must not be re-built (Ezra 4:21)!

Capacitate & Cheer – At Jerusalem, Nehemiah put-together a team from scratch – encouraging, empowering & working alongside them (Nehemiah 3). Most times we cannot re-build on our own and we need the church or an elder or a brother or sister in Christ to encourage us and guide us during the process. 

Commit & Charge – (Nehemiah 4 & 5) Nehemiah’s team worked with all their heart, laboring from dawn to dusk. God expects us to work hard and be on guard for we will confront tremendous opposition. Nehemiah and his team faced everything from ridicule and taunts, to threats, physical attacks, internal dissensions, false rumors and enemies conniving to kill them. God gives us His supernatural strength at such testing times.

Covenant – After witnessing the mighty hand of God enabling Nehemiah’s team to fortify Jerusalem in just 52 days, the people took an oath that they would walk according to God’s law (Nehemiah 9:38, 10:29). Once our task is accomplished it is most important that with a thankful heart, we walk in a deeper and more committed relationship with Him. We must also tell people of our Lord’s goodness and how He can re-build their lives.

Prayer Focus:

Heavenly Father, please help me as I re-build my ………………………. I earnestly seek your guidance and plan for my life. Please use me like you used Nehemiah. You are the potter, I am the clay – mold me and make me, I pray.