Welcome to the Thurnaround’s 52 Days of Prayer!
Introduction
Welcome to day 36 of our 52 Days of Prayer. If you have followed along you discovered that Nehemiah’s rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem is our template for this effort. If you are just joining us, when Nehemiah heard of the trouble among the exiles and that Jerusalem’s wall had been broken down, he wept, mourned, fasted, and prayed for several days. He then went to King Artaxerxes and asked permission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Today, you read how side by side the people of Israel worked together, pushing each other onward, unified in one goal: to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem!
Insight
We know this incredible task was accomplished in 52 days. Nehemiah 6:15-16 says so, but how was this amazing feat accomplished? Is there one thing we can look at that gives us a glimpse of the method to this monumental undertaking?
Yes! Twenty Nine times in Nehemiah 3 a three-word phrase is repeated. That phrase is “next to them.” Over and over one group worked next to another, who worked next to another, who worked next to another, and so on. Yes, it was God who accomplished this task, but He did it through the unified efforts of His people. When threatened, the people continued to work with a weapon in one hand and tools in the other. When exhausted, the people continued to work side-by-side. When discouraged, the people continued to work in concert with one another. People kept working together.
This model is still the model God wants implemented in our efforts to accomplish His will today. In fact, just before Jesus went to the cross He prayed exactly for this. John 17 says He prayed that His death would bring glory to God. He then prayed that those who ministered with Him on earth would continue to work together and be protected. And then He prayed, “I pray not only for these, but also for those who believe in Me through their word. May they all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us, so that the world may believe you sent me.”
Turnaround Questions
Of all the things that Jesus could have prayed for, He prayed that we would be one. Why? Do you think that success in ministry is directly proportional to our unity? What can you do to promote unity in the body of Christ? How can you involve members of God’s family in the mission God has called you to?
Prayer
Father of Heavenly Lights, may we come to a complete understanding of your desire for unity. May we answer the prayer of Jesus and be one just as the Father and the Son are one. And may we do so that You might receive all glory and that the world may believe that Jesus was sent by You for our salvation. We look forward to the day we will live in heaven for all eternity, but until that day comes may we dedicate ourselves to Your will, and specifically, to Your desire for us to be one. Defeat our selfish interests. Crucify our fleshly desires. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit that we might be people filled with the fruit of the Spirit. Father, without reservation we submit ourselves to You and Your will alone. We seek only that will, and we seek all of that will, as long as you give us breath. To Your Glory Alone! In the precious name of Jesus.
