Nehemiah 1:5-9
…‘Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel…
8 ‘Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, “If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, 9 but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.”
Nehemiah is living in Susa (in what is today Iran), when he hears of the state of the walls Jerusalem. He is stirred to rebuild the walls and restore the city. Rather than travelling there straight away, he starts with prayer, something he does repeatedly throughout his redevelopment project. His prayers are, in a sense, missionary, reminding God of his promise of that if they are faithful, that he would gather up and restore his people. As we look to rebuild our walls, let’s also do so with prayer and for mission, to gather together a people for him.
Father, in your love, hear our prayers and help us to build for you and for our local community.
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