Wednesday July 12, 2023

Today is Wednesday, July 12 and we are studying what the Bible says about Christian work.

In the morning, I seek the presence of God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I pause to rest, quiet my mind, close my eyes and slow my breathing. I breathe in and out, in and out and center myself on the One who loves me.

Pause and Pray

Holy and Loving God, walk with me on this daily pilgrimage. Show me how to follow in your footsteps, persevere in faithfulness and progress in holiness through the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

As a new day dawns, I look to the morning sky and consider the beauty of God’s creation. I lift my praises with the words of Psalm 19.

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. Psalm 19:1-2

Pause and Pray

After seventy years in exile, a remnant of the Israelites returned to their homeland. The city of Jerusalem had been utterly destroyed. The city walls had to be completely rebuilt and the people needed encouragement, shelter, security, and unity. Nehemiah provided leadership in the rebuilding of Jerusalem and enlisted all the residents to work on fortifying the city wall. Entire families worked side by side repairing and constructing. The wide variety of builders included priests, government officials, merchants, farmers, soldiers, men, women and children. Nehemiah realized the plight of the people was a matter of prayer, but to Nehemiah, prayer must always be accompanied with work. Prayer and work go together in the kingdom of God.

So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart. But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem’s walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat. Nehemiah 4:6-9

All the residents were working day and night to fortify the walls of the city while their enemies were angry and preparing to attack them. Everyone had been working with all their heart and the construction job was half finished. Nehemiah’s leadership was a combination of prayer and work. Throughout his account you notice the frequent spontaneous prayers that Nehemiah lifts to God while he is accomplishing his task. When opposition threatened and trouble ensued, he posted guards but continued to pray and trust in God. Builders had a trowel in one hand and a sword in another ready for defense while praying all the time (Nehemiah 4:17).

Ask: In what ways do I combine work and prayer? When have I been more apt to pray only or more apt to work only?

Pause and Pray

Holy and Mighty Lord, thank you for the witness of Nehemiah, his concern for his people and his faithful leadership. Teach me to combine prayer and work in my own life. Inspire me to labor diligently with all my heart, remembering to pray to you spontaneously throughout the day and trusting you are working alongside me for the best outcome. I read the words from Nehemiah again and listen for the message you have for me.

So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart. But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem’s walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat. Nehemiah 4:6-9

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

In light of the narrative from Nehemiah, I consider my current work – at home, at my place of employment, my service to my church and my work in the community. I examine the tasks before me, the items on my “to-do” list, the content of my calendar, and what I have to accomplish. Like the people rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, I reflect on what is “half built,” or unfinished in my life. I ponder the antagonists that threaten my work, those who want to stir up trouble against me or thwart my progress. Maybe God wants me to turn to him in prayer and trust him with my labors. Perhaps I am missing an opportunity to combine work and prayer.

Pause and Pray

Come, Holy Spirit, be my companion throughout the course of my day. Call me back to your presence during the course of my tasks, chores, appointments and conversations. Show me what it means to sanctify my daily work and offer it to you in humble service as a sacrifice of love. Whatever I do for you today, I will work at it with all my heart. Amen.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. Colossians 3:23

I leave this time of prayer to do God’s work in the world and diligently labor to build up his kingdom.

Amen