Very specific!  Nehemiah was not caught “flat footed” when the king asked him what he needed.  Nehemiah had carefully planned what they needed to rebuild Jerusalem’s demolished wall.  What do we need to rebuild America’s spiritual wall?  Be specific.

Jesus promises – “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”  (John 15:7-8 NIV). We have Jesus’ FULL permission to ask!  Boldly and specifically!

“The king said to me (Nehemiah), “What is it you want?” Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.” Then the king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked me, “How long will your journey take, and when will you get back?” It pleased the king to send me; so I set a time. I also said to him, “If it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, so that they will provide me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah? And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the royal park, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?” And because the gracious hand of my God was on me, the king granted my requests. So I went to the governors of Trans-Euphrates and gave them the king’s letters. The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me.”   (Nehemiah 2:4-9 NIV)

Pastor Chris Dodge begins a new series this Sunday, NEHEMIAH: Lessons in Wall Building. This week’s subtitle: “Situational Awareness” based on Nehemiah 1:1-11.  Please join us in person at the Richfield High School in Richfield, MN at 9:30am CDT. Or join us via live/on demand webcast.

Let us pray: Lord, in order for America’s demolished spiritual wall to be rebuilt, we desperately need your Holy Spirit.  We need people’s eyes to open so they might recognize You as the One and only God.  We need people’s hearts to heal and be drawn back to you.  We need the gods of our age to fail, to be destroyed and shown for the fakes they are.  We need You to sweep through our land, so people can’t help but see and speak of Jesus – alive and present!  In Jesus’ name.  (As you continue in prayer, you can be even more specific!)