We Have A Strong City

"Then the king said to me, 'What are you requesting?' So I prayed to the God of heaven, and I said to the king..."
-Nehemiah 2:4

There is way too much to say about Nehemiah. I first studied this book under Pastor Mark Driscoll up at Mars Hill Church in Seattle. During my time in the book, it became an instant favorite.

For multiple reasons, God is putting that book back in to my life as my mentor, Joel Dombrow, is teaching through this book at Willamette Christian Church. Also, I know that my friends at Solid Rock just finished going through this amazing book.

Certainly God works through people, and he works even stronger when those people congregate. We often believe this to be churches, which is true, but it is biblically accurate to notice that God works through cities perhaps even more than "churches." I love taking inventory of where God is bringing my city, Portland, and who is in tune to it all.

As I look back on the past three or four years, it becomes apparent that God has been raising up churches and young leaders to rebuild the city of Portland. I see Portland like Nehemiah sees Jerusalem: laid in ruins. It is a beautiful city, but it is a broken city.

It is such a privilege to not just watch, but be a part of God's plan to rebuild Portland. We are JUST getting started.

ANYWAYS...another entry perhaps.

I place this verse at the top to remind us of the prayerful demeanor of Nehemiah. If you don't know the story, I'm not going to type a summary, just read the book. But in 2:4 he is asked a question by the king, which every visionary desires:

"What do you want?"

Before Nehemiah goes into his vision, he prays. It must have been a quick prayer, but it was enough.

St. Paul, when writing to one of the churches he looked after, reminds them to "pray without ceasing." What we lose in the English translation is that St. Paul is actually using a medical term to describe "without ceasing." He's not saying, "Pray 24 hours a day and seven days a week." If we did that, we wouldn't ever put any prayer into action. The Greek medical term he uses is to describe a scratch in the back of your throat that you have to constantly itch or clear. In other words, pray as if it's the only thing that will bring your life comfort. As if it's something that will bring you clarity in your system, or deeper even, your soul. Also, don't be surprised if you continue in spiritual discomfort when you're not in prayer.

All that is said of Nehemiah's prayer to the king is just one part of a sentence. He didn't get on his knees, he didn't light a candle, and he didn't hold anyone's hand. There absolutely are times for such things, but they are not law when approaching the Creator. Prayers do not have to be long winded, they do not have to be on your knees, they just need to be honest and often. You don't even have to close your eyes and fold your hands.

This little prayer by Nehemiah changes the history of Jerusalem, and in turn, the world. Prayer is our most powerful asset as the people of God, and often our prayers reveal our shallow faith. In other words, when we pray just to find the keys or for a parking spot, we really are creating a very small god. Nehemiah was a man who prayed for his city to be renewed and people to turn back to God is droves. He knew not only of God's love, mercy, and passion, but he knew about God's supreme power.

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you..."

My friends, pray bigger.