Passage: Nehemiah 2:11-4:20
Key verse: Nehemiah 4:20
“Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!”

The story goes that a man named Nehemiah, serving a king in another country, heard about his beloved city lying in ruins, vulnerable to enemies and disheartening his people.

So Nehemiah prayed, then asked the king for the time and resources needed to go to his city, assess the situation, and begin repairs.

These things, the king provided and Nehemiah went.

But once the repairs to the city wall were underway, enemies rose up against him and his people. The people could not do the work assigned to them because they were always defending themselves against enemy attacks.

Nehemiah divided the people in half. Half he armed to protect the workers, and the other half went about the work. In this way, the wall was rebuilt, the city was safe from enemies and the people rejoiced.

What might this mean for us?

It takes different skills and talents to rebuild a wall, and it takes different skills and talents to be about the work the Lord has given us to do.

Paul, in his letters to the early Christians, describes the different gifts God has given us so we can do what Jesus has called us to do: love God and love our neighbor.
See: Matthew 22:37-38; Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; Ephesians 4:11-13;                  1 Peter 4:8-11

However, we should not be surprised that when we use these gifts for God, the enemy attacks. The enemy does not want us advancing God’s kingdom into his territory. He does not want to see lives restored or hope renewed or hearts returned.

In fact, our enemy is active and prowling around to see who he can devour. He is an thief who comes to steal, kill and destroy.
See Romans 5:8; John 10:10

Much like the enemy in Nehemiah’s day.

How should we respond?

Like Nehemiah, we need to position warriors to protect the workers.
Prayer Warriors
See: Romans 12:12; Ephesians 3:14-17; Ephesians 6:18; Philippians 4:6; Colossians 4:2-4;   1 Thessalonians 5:17; 1 Timothy 2:1-4,8

In this way, the work can be done, lives will be restored, hope renewed and hearts returned and the people will rejoice.

Has God called you to be a Prayer Warrior?

Grace & Peace