You Are A Nation Builder

You Are A Nation Builder

A NATION BUILDER

So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven. Nehemiah 1:4

Before a single stone was laid to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls, Nehemiah began the work on his knees before God. He fasted and mourned over his motherland’s vulnerability. The soon-to-be construction foreman then offered up a three-part prayer. First, he confessed Israel’s sin; next, he reminded the Lord of His promises to the faithful; and finally, he requested success for his plans.

Like Nehemiah, all of us are to be nation builders. His response to Israel’s situation should be our template for fighting threats of evil to our homelands. Perhaps you’ve never thought to fast over a national crisis. Or you may not know that you can intercede about your countrymen’s disobedience to God. But taking action to protect and serve others is a believer’s responsibility (Matt. 25:35-40).

Some people argue that one individual’s prayers or activities cannot make a dent in a country’s problems. Nehemiah proved otherwise. God used him to gather supplies and organize the Jewish people to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls in just 52 days (Neh. 6:15).

The effect of your intercession will likely be subtler than Nehemiah’s. In fact, until you reach heaven, you may not even know the impact. Countries are always in flux, but steps of change are often so small as to be imperceptible day to day. If we are to build nations where the innocent are protected and justice prevails, then we must begin as Nehemiah did—on our knees.

Prayer: Lord, give me a burden for the peace and development of my country.

Scriptural Reading: Nehemiah 1:1-11

You Are A Nation Builder