Pray while you build.

Isaiah 61:4 says of those that know Jesus:
"They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated"
In one way or another, each of us have been purposed by God to be builders and restorers, advancing the kingdom of God in our own circles. 
That could look very different for someone who stays home to raise their children full time to someone called to be a business leader to someone called to be a campus missionary, etc. 
But, just like when Nehemiah purposed to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem (which was devastated by war) and faced a people that he had to motivate to rise up and rebuild, or threats from the enemy that could bring fear and discouragement, with pressure to give up, we also face similar circumstances at one point or another in our lives. 
Yet, instead of giving in, Nehemiah boldly encouraged the Israelites to rise up and continue building the wall. But he instructed them to do it while they remained armed and ready for battle.
You can read the full account in Nehemiah 4-6.
They built the wall, some carrying materials with one hand and a weapon in the other, some armed with swords in their sides, all of them guarded by armed men.  They built with the possibility of being attacked at any moment. As a result, they were not caught off guard and successfully rebuilt the wall.
This is a great picture of the church working together to advance God's kingdom on earth. 
We each need to stay armed and work together in community, guarding each other, working together and supporting each other.
Our weapons though are spiritual and not physical.
God has given us His word and the ability to pray. These are a great part of our spiritual arsenal. If we don't let these slip in our personal and corporate lives and don't neglect the importance of working together as a community, we can truly rebuild all the ancient ruins and long devastated places left by the enemy. We can successfully fulfill the purpose God has called each and every one of us for!
Image from freebibleimages.org

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