Author: pastorkevinschuessler

COMMIT AND DECLARE IT – OUT LOUD!

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It’s been a number of weeks since posting on Building a Prayer Wall.  Let’s pick up where we left off.

As a recap – we are looking at America and building a spiritual “wall” for her through the lens of the book of Nehemiah and seeking to apply what God might be saying to US(A).

Nehemiah, at night, under the cover of darkness, scoped out the condition of Jerusalem’s wall.  He had only received reports, so he assessed the damage himself.  Now it was time to step out – in faith, and make a public decision.  He brought Jerusalem’s leaders together for a meeting and this is his account.

“The city officials did not know I (Nehemiah) had been out there or what I was doing, for I had not yet said anything to anyone about my plans. I had not yet spoken to the Jewish leaders—the priests, the nobles, the officials, or anyone else in the administration. But now I said to them, “You know very well what trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire. Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and end this disgrace!” Then I told them about how the gracious hand of God had been on me, and about my conversation with the king.  They replied at once, “Yes, let’s rebuild the wall!” So they began the good work.”   (Nehemiah 2:16-18 NLT)

This a key turning point in Nehemiah’s story.  It’s commitment day!  Nehemiah stepped out THREE TIMES by speaking up and committing.

  1. He told the leaders he had secretly scoped out the wall’s condition.
  2. He asked the leaders to join him in rebuilding it.
  3. He recounted how God had shown him favor this far!

What a great example of how God likes to work powerfully in and through people like Nehemiah!  And also you and me!  This account is in the Scriptures, not only for us to admire and be inspired by, but for God to provoke us, as well, to step out in faith toward Him. This is what I believe we are to do:

  1. Once we determine the condition of America’s spiritual wall (by asking the Holy Spirit to give insight and wisdom), tell someone what you believe to be true.  How have we strayed from God’s wonderful plan for US(A)?  How have we turned our backs on Him and followed our own ways?
  2. Ask that person (or persons) to join you in prayer.  Pray from the perspective that God’s will is always good, perfect and pleasing (Romans 12:2).
  3. Recount how God has shown this country favor, and shown YOU favor.  Pray with thankful confidence in Him.

It doesn’t have to be complicated or arduous, just a simple step of faith.  One person joining with another person to do our part in rebuilding America’s spiritual wall. So let’s pray! In Jesus’ Name!

6. HOW SPECIFIC CAN WE BE WHEN WE PRAY?

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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)Sermon March 19 (2017).001

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!)

 

5. HOW CAN I BE PART OF BUILDING A PRAYER WALL FOR AMERICA?

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Today is day 5 of answering your questions about joining us in building a prayer wall for America.

5. HOW CAN I BE PART OF BUILDING A PRAYER WALL FOR AMERICA?

A remnant of Jesus-believers from each city and each state can have a significant impact!  The wall around Jerusalem had points of entry all around. Each of these entry points or gates had a specific purpose and under Nehemiah they were rebuilt. No enemy could penetrate the wall, nor was any enemy allowed through the gates. Every state in America is an entry point/gate that needs to be rebuilt by prayer, guarded through prayer, and used for accomplishing godly purposes. In Nehemiah we see how the prayers of God’s people were heard. God still hears today!

We’d like to invite you to join us in praying for America.  What could the future of America look like if God’s people came together like God’s people did under Nehemiah? What could God accomplish in America?

A couple of suggestions.

  • What if you gathered with a friend or a small group of friends to passionately pray in agreement together, building that Prayer Wall?
  • Consider (re)reading the book of Nehemiah, which will give a biblical context for what we are doing.
  • We can start by praying Nehemiah’s prayer. “O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands, listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for your people Israel. I confess that we have sinned against you. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned! We have sinned terribly by not obeying the commands, decrees, and regulations that you gave us through your servant Moses. O Lord, please hear my prayer! Listen to the prayers of those of us who delight in honoring you.” (Nehemiah 1:5-7, 11a NLT)

Won’t you join us in intentional prayer for America? Let’s begin by confessing our own sins. Then let’s cry out to God to bring America and her people back to Him.

Pastor Chris Dodge on #5 How can I be part of building a Prayer Wall for America?

COMING UP: Wednesday, March 22, 2017, open registration begins. Put your prayer team on the map of the United States of America. Weekly prayer prompts and devotions will be available every Tuesday beginning Tuesday, April 4, 2017 via blog, Facebook, and our website.

We extend an invitation to people all across America. Construction kicked off on March 12th with a message from Pastor Chris Dodge. It was followed by these postings: Question #1 Is it time to build a prayers wall for America? Question #2 What is a prayer wall and who builds it?  Question #3  How does construction of the prayer wall begin?   Question #4 Why build a prayer wall?  Question #5 How can I be part of building a prayer wall for America?

To become part of the team:

  1. Go to our Prayer Wall webpage and review info and resources.
  2. Follow our blog.
  3. Follow us on Facebook for up-to-the-minute information on the Prayer Wall Construction.
  4. Follow us on Twitter.
  5. Stay tuned for more info!

Questions? Contact us.

4. WHY BUILD A PRAYER WALL?

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Today is day 4 of 5 answering your questions about joining us in building a prayer wall for America.

What difference could the Prayer Wall make?

The Prayer Wall protects us from easy access of the evil one into our lives and shuts down his plan to “kill, steal and destroy.” (John 10:10)  Through prayer we seek to ask God for what he has already promised and desires for us – that we may have “life and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)  This is what Jesus, our Good Shepherd promised to those who follow him.  Let’s ask for God’s fullness for our people and our country, through Jesus Christ.  Later in John 10, Jesus promised that “my sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27 NLT) What if because of the Wall of Prayer offered up by God’s people, we see this kind of response to God’s goodness – people listening to Jesus and following Him in their daily lives?  Let’s believe and pray!

God listens and answers people’s prayers.

Nehemiah’s prayer was no small request.  He was planning to ask his king for help, which could have gotten him killed!  This is what he prayed to God before meeting with the king.  “The people you rescued by your great power and strong hand are your servants. O Lord, please hear my prayer! Listen to the prayers of those of us who delight in honoring you. Please grant me success today by making the king favorable to me. Put it into his heart to be kind to me.”  (Nehemiah 1:10-11 NLT) God SO answered Nehemiah’s prayer!  The king asked Nehemiah what his trouble was, and also what he could do!  The king could have executed Nehemiah. (It was illegal to have a “bad day” around the king!)  Instead, God answered Nehemiah’s prayer by causing the king to feel favorable towards Nehemiah and to be willing to help him. This same God who answered Nehemiah’s audacious prayer, answers ours!  So let’s pray. Let’s ask specifically, audaciously, boldly for our country, for our people.  Ask and pray as boldly as the Holy Spirit leads.  And watch what God does!

Pastor Dodge on Question #4 Why build a Prayer Wall?

Tomorrow: HOW CAN I BE PART OF BUILDING A PRAYER WALL FOR AMERICA?

We extend an invitation to people all across America. Construction kicked off on March 12th with a message from Pastor Chris Dodge. It was followed by these postings: Question #1 Is it time to build a prayers wall for America? Question #2 What is a prayer wall and who builds it?  Question #3  How does construction of the prayer wall begin?  Upcoming: Question #5 How can I be part of building a prayer wall for America?

To become part of the team:

  1. Go to our Prayer Wall webpage and review info and resources. (New info will be going up regularly.)
  2. Follow our blog . Each day, beginning Monday, March 13, Pastor Kevin  will be sending out more information that will answer all your questions.
  3. Follow us on Facebook for up-to-the-minute information on the Prayer Wall Construction.
  4. Follow us on Twitter.
  5. Stay tuned for more info!

3. HOW DOES CONSTRUCTION OF THE PRAYER WALL BEGIN?

~ pastorkevinschuessler ~ 2 Comments

Today is day 3 of 5 answering your questions about joining us in building a prayer wall for America.

Where do we start?

We can start by praying for our country, our leaders, and our citizens – Entrusting our country to the Living God, to the Lord Jesus Christ.  The first thing that Nehemiah did when he realized the devastated state of his city was he wept.  He recognized the destruction was the natural consequences of a people that had turned away from God and His ways, and instead followed their own sinful ways and the ways of the pagan world around them.  He wept and confessed before God in private for days, asking God to have mercy and to help them.  Can we start by doing the same?

The start of a Prayer Wall is humility

The foundation of a Prayer Wall is to come humbly before God on behalf of ourselves, our families, our communities, and our country.  We pray in response to God’s powerful promise to us – “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV).  WHAT A GRACIOUS GOD WE SERVE!  Let’s press into him today, now.

How do I confess?

Let’s admit that we, God’s people, have not followed His ways but gone our own way, and that we have followed the ways of the world.  Next, let’s confess that we have done wicked things personally and as a nation. As we do, God promises to forgive our sin and heal our land!

Pastor Dodge on “How does construction of the prayer wall begin?”

Tomorrow:  WHY BUILD A PRAYER WALL?

We extend an invitation to people all across America. Construction kicked off on March 12th with a message from Pastor Chris Dodge. It was followed by these postings: Question #1 Is it time to build a prayers wall for America? Question #2 What is a prayer wall and who builds it? Upcoming: Question #4 Why build a prayer wall? Question #5 How can I be part of building  prayer wall for America?

To become part of the team:

  1. Go to our Prayer Wall webpage and review info and resources. (New info will be going up regularly.)
  2. Follow our blog . Each day, beginning Monday, March 13, Pastor Kevin  will be sending out more information that will answer all your questions.
  3. Follow us on Facebook for up-to-the-minute information on the Prayer Wall Construction.
  4. Follow us on Twitter.
  5. Stay tuned for more info!

 

 

2. WHAT IS A PRAYER WALL AND WHO BUILDS IT?

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Today is day 2 of 5 answering your questions about joining us in building a prayer wall for America.

What’s a Prayer Wall?  

A prayer wall is a spiritual wall that is a barricade to evil and holds the people inside its walls together!  It is doing by prayer what Nehemiah did physically.  Nehemiah and God’s people were in a broken-down state.  The city wall around Jerusalem was in shambles, allowing Israel’s enemies the ability to keep its citizens in a defeated state.  Are we in a similar state?  Are we a broken-down country?  Prayer is a spiritual weapon that brings about physical changes, changes that we can witness!  God says, “put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil…Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”  (Ephesians 6:11,18 NLT)

Who are the prayer wall builders?

Prayer wall builders are individuals joining together with the intent to pray for America, its leaders, and its people for healing, a return to God and unity.  Wall builders are people willing to confess their sins, the sins of their families, community and state and pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit over all people. The wall builders of Jerusalem rebuilt their city wall and brought unity among the people. Will we step up to be prayer wall builders for America?

Pastor Dodge on Question #2

Tomorrow: HOW DOES CONSTRUCTION OF THE PRAYER WALL BEGIN

The invitation to people all across America. Construction kicked off on March 12th with a message from Pastor Chris Dodge. Question #1 Is it time to build a prayer wall for America?

FOLLOW our blog!

Visit our Prayer Wall webpage for more information and resources.

 

 

1. IS IT TIME TO BUILD A PRAYER WALL FOR AMERICA?

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Psalm 11:3, David says, “If the foundations be destroyed, what shall the righteous do?” God’s people say, “We shall rebuild it!”

Today is day 1 of 5 which will answer your questions about joining us in building a prayer wall for America. We extend an invitation to people all across America. Construction kicked off on March 12th with a message from Pastor Chris Dodge.

Are you stirred by the recent events in our country?

Are you a believer and follower of Jesus Christ?  Me too.  How would He have us respond?  Let’s do what Jesus did.  He defeated the evil one’s plans and worked to usher in the kingdom of God.  Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has given us the authority and power to defeat the evil one’s plans and work, and to serve as His agents to help bring about God’s kingdom in our world now.  And specifically into our local settings.

What are we experiencing?

In our context today, we are seeing the evil one take ground that doesn’t belong to him – through division, hatred, misunderstandings, animosity, etc.  The evil one would have us fight each other rather than him.  God reminds us our enemy is NOT flesh and blood (each other), but the “rulers, authorities, powers of this dark world, the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Eph 6:12).  What an appropriate word for believers during this time in our history when America’s godly foundation now lays in ruins much like the wall around Jerusalem in Nehemiah’s day.

Is it time for a shift?

What if we took our national angst and applied it to a spiritual fight?  God encourages us to “stand firm, let nothing move you, always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).  While the enemy would have us be distracted or engrossed in earthly ambitions and squabbles, God is calling us do something significant to change the world!

Pastor Dodge on Question #1

Tomorrow: WHAT IS A PRAYER WALL AND WHO BUILDS IT?

FOLLOW our blog!

Visit our Prayer Wall webpage for more information and resources.