Pray the Scriptures, June 20

Nehemiah 3

Lord God,

We see in this section of Scripture how your people from all walks of life came together to rebuild the wall around their city, the task to which you had called them. And so I pray today that your people will understand the task you have set before your church and give themselves zealously to complete it. May none of us be subject to the rebuke reserved here for those nobles who would not put their shoulders to the work.

We read here of those who worked on the wall – priests, Levites, temple servants, goldsmiths, perfume-makers, merchants, ordinary men along with their daughters, and many civic leaders who were rulers in their own cities. I pray that each person in our land will find his place on the wall, understand the gifts and responsibilities you have given to him, and do his part to complete your work.

Many repaired sections of the wall in front of their own homes. In a similar way, I pray that each man in my city and in our nation will be moved by your Spirit to seek to provide protection for his own family. Strengthen every marriage and every family; be a wall and a shield around each home so that the enemy may not be able to enter and destroy.

Ezekiel mourned the fact that in his day, no man could be found to build up the wall and stand in the gap before you on behalf of the land so you would not have to destroy it. I pray that will not be true in our day. In Jesus’ name, I pray each of us will be ready to stand in the gap you have assigned to us, and build up the wall at that place so that our families, our churches, our city, and our nation may be everything you want them to be.

In Jesus’ name, I pray this. Amen.