SCRIPTURE: Nehemiah 1-5
“The king said to me, “What do you want?” I prayed to the God of heaven. Then I answered the king…” (Nehemiah 2:4-5)
I like how Nehemiah prays right in the middle of his discussion with the king.
This is not just a technique for ‘prayer that works’ (I hate that phrase, it’s God that works, not prayer).
This reveals a relationship, a partnership, between Nehemiah and God that we all can have.
God wants to be a part of your daily life, Your partner in whatever you do.
Jesus modelled this for us (He was constantly praying and working); He also shows us that this is God’s desire, for He is God stepping down into our messed up world to help us, to partner with us!
When we face enemies and opposition (Nehemiah 4), when we need wisdom for making decisions (Nehemiah 5), God is our co-pilot (or I am God’s co-pilot, we’re piloting together).
Include God and Jesus in your daily work, or as St. Benedict put it, ‘Ora et Labora’ (pray and work).
We do not need to do things on our own, nor should we sit back and expect God to do things for us.
Ora et labora, work with God, we do what we can and He does what He can.
We’re in this thing together, He wants to work with us!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, You’ve invited me to join with You in serving God and others. And God, You’ve offered me Your strength and support to live my life with You, for You. Help me not to forget about You as I do my work each day.
Observation/Application
Upon hearing the news, Nehemiah turned to the Lord in prayer. God is the first response in our daily living. Each day I need to go forward in prayerful living – walking and talking with my God.
Prayer decisions. In my daily living, I am never alone but have a partner who hears me always and gives direction to my daily living. God power. Spirit lead. Faith power. God is in everything. He is our success. I must go forward in His power each day.
The wall was being rebuilt in spite of the troubles surrounding them. They continued the Lord’s work among their enemies, prayerfully going forward in His power. God gives His people strength if we but obey. Our God fights for us. We are never alone. despite all odds. Just do the work He assigns in His power and in His presence. Our walk with God is a testimony to our enemies so that they may see that we are Christians by our love.
All the work we do/I do is not for ourselves/myself but unto the Lord. As I enter the activities of this day, may I go forward working for the King in all I do and say.
Prayer
Strengthen me this day Lord to be Your servant true.
God gives His people strength;
If we believe in His way
He’s swift to repay
All those who bare the burden of the day;
God gives His people strength.
God gives His people love;
If we but open wide our heart
He’s sure to do His part
He’s always the first to make a start;
God gives His people love.
God gives His people peace;
When sorrow fills us to brim
And courage grows dim
He lays to rest our restlessness in Him.
God gives His people peace.