Today is a wonderful day to follow Jesus. It could be your first of many or it could be one of your many like it's your first day. No matter where you are in your relationship with Him, today, your relationship can have big implications on the world around you.
When we pray we are asking God to get involved in our lives. When we pray God's will above all, we are asking God to involve US in what He has going on here.
Nehemiah heard there was devastation among God's people and that because of their disobedience and failure to acknowledge God their land laid in ruin and was the laughingstock of their culture. Nehemiah began to pray, not for things to just get easier, but to ask for forgiveness for God's people, for himself and for his family before him. He asked God to forgive them for their sins and that God in His grace and power would remember them and send favor back to His people.
This must have been on the heart of God because The Lord answered Nehemiah's prayer. Not in the way of everything was instantly better but that God commissioned Nehemiah to get to work. God moved the king's heart to give Nehemiah favor and letters of safety and provision BUT Nehemiah had work to do and faced battle at all sides. God answered the prayers of Nehemiah but without Nehemiah's actions after the walls would have remained in ruins. (Well at least until the next person answered the call)
Here we are today. Praying for our nation, praying for our teens, praying for our kids. We are asking God to bring favor and salvation and we are waiting excitingly for His answer. We are asking for forgiveness of our sins and for those of others and we are asking God to rebuild what lies in ruins today. BUT are we answering the call that come with our requests? Are we headed into the land with blueprints and visions of a healed and mighty land or are we waiting for someone else to do it? Are we praying for our people to be restored to Christ or are we just praying to get through each day? Are we the body moving towards the stones or hiding from the work at hand? Do we really want salvation for our nation, friends, family and strangers more than to sit by the side of the king?
Nehemiah had a great sacrifice to leave the side of the king. He was well taken care of and lacked nothing. Yet, he used his favor to influence the king for God's tasks and he left his comfort of the palace to go and to guide God's people to rebuild an old forgotten wall. He had his life threatened and his reputation questioned and yet he did not waiver or give up.
Friends, are we asking God to do what we are not willing to? Are we waiting for Him to build something that will benefit us without asking what we can and should be doing? Are we begging for salvation of others or just hoping they get it eventually?
I guess this week in our prayer time I am asking you to dive deeper. I am asking you to pray and ask God to move in ways that have eternal value and to wait for His response. Maybe He will return to you with favor for a mission He has for you or maybe He will speak to someone else to move as a leader on your behalf. Whatever it is I ask that you lean in this week in your prayers.
For us at YFC Campus Life Military we have some requests:
For the outreaching to meet military teens in our area.
For God's forgiveness for them and for favor over them as they learned they are loved by God and in return share that love with others.
For God's favor over us as we work toward rebuilding and restoring God's people to himself by way of Club nights, small groups, volunteer leader development, and See the Story events.
That we may have strength and protection as we work, and for FULL provision so that our minds and hearts will not have to juggle to provide support for our family and ministries.
Personal requests:
Vanessa: for healing and hope in the middle of a family loss, for strength and endurance as the end of the deployment nears, for grace and peace over all the seeds she is sowing, watering and harvesting.
Rachel: for continued grace and wisdom while blending families and lifestyles, for joy and wellness in her home and for her strength as she mothers now 8 amazing kids
Jeni: for wisdom and favor with decisions to be made, for energy to keep up with the ever changing schedules and for God's provision over the ministry in way of finances and volunteers so that much could be accomplished in a shorter amount of time.
We cherish you and your prayers and can't wait to see the fruit of your work in the weeks and months to come!
