Prayer's Power

My view from the Open Road is a little skewed this week.  There are many thoughts that I am processing as I pen this week’s post.  Over the last little while, I have been reading through the Old Testament book of Nehemiah and reading it very carefully.  Nehemiah’s task was to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity and the return of the Judahites to Jerusalem under king Cyrus of Persia.  Immediately Nehemiah faces challenges and opposition.  However, what amazes me is not the opposition Nehemiah faces but rather how he handles that opposition.  Let us look specifically at Nehemiah 4 as I think this portion of Scripture has immediate implications to the oppression that surrounds us today.

The first problem Nehemiah faces is that the enemy is directly opposed to any plans to rebuild the city wall.  In fact, so much are they opposed to the rebuilding that they are beginning to prepare for battle and have begun to taunt the Jews.

The second problem, the rumors of impending attack, and the plea from the surrounding area Jews, to abandon the task of rebuilding and save their own necks.  See many of the Jews, because of the exile had taken up residence in the surrounding area hiding their identities.  It is from these Jews, living among the enemies, as they were, that the Jews in Jerusalem hear of the coming attack.

The final problem is that internal discouragement and lack of motivation almost completely stops the rebuilding process.  The people had taken their mind off the task given them and started being mentally co-opted by the distractions surrounding them.  They took their eyes off the prize as it were.

Despite, and in fact in the face of

Opposition 

Lose of motivation

Constant continual taunts

Jeering cynicism

All around ill will

Despite all of these obstacles, Nehemiah refuses to throw the towel in and say, “I quit!”

In fact, every time opposition was encountered Nehemiah directed his, as well as his fellow Jews, attention heavenward and prayed.  I wonder what would happen if we were to follow this model.  What if every time we met opposition we focused our attention heavenward and prayed to the one who alone can handle any opposition as opposed to trying to take care of it ourselves first?

So, as we are surrounded with the devastation that hurricane Sandy has wrought on the East coast, this week’s coming election, the news of the death of loved ones, sickness, school, whatever...As we face these obstacles and many more, are we willing to follow Nehemiah’s example and pray before we act?  Then, are we willing to trust in the provision of our Heavenly Father, Jehovah-Jireh, 100%, knowing that God will supply all your needs (Phil. 4:19)?

Max Lucado says it this way: “Don’t measure the size of the mountain; talk to the One who can move it.  Instead of carrying the world on your shoulders, talk to the one who holds the universe on his.”

Let us hold these words in mind as we walk through what only promises to be a rather tumultuous week.

For today, this is my view from the Open Road.