Prayer For Help in Rebuilding As WE Move Beyond Pandemic Restrictions
Tuesday July 7, 2020
REBUILDING
In the Bible we read how Nehemiah and the residents rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem which had been broken down.
Nehemiah and the people had to have courage and self-control to do the work and finish the job. They faced cynics who criticized their work and sneered at them each day saying that the wall they were building would never be strong enough and all the gaps would never be filled. Through it all Nehemiah and the people of Jerusalem persevered and the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt in an amazingly short period of time.
Nehemiah and the people had to have courage and self-control to do the work and finish the job. They faced cynics who criticized their work and sneered at them each day saying that the wall they were building would never be strong enough and all the gaps would never be filled. Through it all Nehemiah and the people of Jerusalem persevered and the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt in an amazingly short period of time.
So on October 2 the wall was finished—just fifty-two days
after we had begun. When our enemies and the
surrounding nations heard about it, they were frightened
and humiliated. They realized this work had been done
with the help of our God.
Nehemiah 6:15-16
What a helpful picture this provides to us as we move out of a season of lockdown and try to rebuild going forward in this season of "re-opening with physical distancing."
So many have experienced and continue to experience vulnerability due to employment and financial conditions. Those who struggle with addictions, including those seeking recovery, have certainly felt extra pressure during this time of being distance from those who provide support. Sadly the numbers locally show that overdose deaths have skyrocketed to the highest every monthly totals as drug wars are played out on the street.
Emotional protections, family supports, financial safety nets are just some of the things that have been entered our lives in recent times and caused various kinds of chaos and break down. No matter how little or how much your personal world has been impacted by this time of the pandemic God invites us to call out to him so He can set us in a place where we can rebuild - or help others rebuild safe and secure lives.
O Lord, I have come to you for protection; don’t let me be
disgraced. Save me, for you do what is right.
Turn your ear to listen to me; rescue me quickly.
Be my rock of protection, a fortress where I will be safe.
Psalm 31:1-2
On that basis let's come to God today and ask His help.
Loving God, thank You for your promise that as we follow Your ways You will watch over and protect us. You are with us as we rebuild. Even though there will be some who think that we can't achieve what's needed, and maybe sometimes we even wonder ourselves if we can overcome the challenges we currently face, we want to lean on Your promises today that You are with us. You will do what's right for us and our situations. You are listening to us and acting quickly to protect us and make us safe.
But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith.
Let the Holy Spirit guide and help you when you pray.
And by doing these things, remain in God’s love as you wait.
You are waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ
to bring you eternal life.
Jude 1:20-21
We thank You, Holy Spirit, for coming to live in us and for giving us guidance and help even as we pray. You strengthen us to build up our faith. You fill us with God's love as we wait for things to change. You act with mercy on our behalf. We can certainly be encouraged and comforted in that today as we give ourselves to doing what You direct us to do and then trust You for the rest.
But build one another up every day. Do it as long as
there is still time. Then none of you will
become stubborn. You won’t be fooled by sin’s tricks.
Hebrews 3:13
Help us to lift up our eyes from our own situation and as we trust in Your love and mercy to do everything we can to build up others. Keep our hearts soft and full of compassion. Make us wise to know what helps others and when to stand back and encourage them to trust You and act as You direct.
Every house is built by someone.
But God is the builder of everything.
Hebrews 3:4
We all have our part to play but we know that ultimately You are the one who is at the foundation of it all. We thank You. We honour You. We will rebuild with You with all we have today. Amen
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