Prayers, Walls, and a Mind to Work | The Institute for Creation Research

Prayers, Walls, and a Mind to Work

Nehemiah’s campaign to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem is a fascinating account of effective leadership in the face of great adversity. More importantly, it’s an outstanding lesson on the power of prayer combined with a willingness to work toward a God-given goal.

As a high-court official for Persian King Artaxerxes I, Nehemiah was accustomed to a certain level of influence that came with his position. But upon learning that Jerusalem was in ruins and the survivors were in distress (Nehemiah 1:1-3), it’s remarkable that he did not immediately beseech the king for help. No, the first thing Nehemiah did was pray!

Prayer plays a significant role in Nehemiah’s account. He prayed before making his request to the king (2:4) and then again as his enemies angrily mocked the people’s building efforts (4:4). But “the people had a mind to work” and were committed to the cause, and under Nehemiah’s capable management the “entire wall was joined together up to half its height” (4:6). Even as their adversaries conspired against them and the threat of attack seemed imminent, Nehemiah and his wall-builders made their prayer to God and kept on working (4:9).

Prayer is a powerful weapon, but it can be ineffective without appropriate action. After Nehemiah’s prayer, he was quick to set a watch against their enemies “with their swords, their spears, and their bows” (4:13). The people were ready “to fight for [their] brethren” if necessary (4:14), but at the same time they were confident, proclaiming that “our God will fight for us” (4:20).

Rather than relying simply on prayer and hoping for divine intervention, God expects us to use whatever means we have to meet the ministry need at hand. Tweet: Rather than relying simply on prayer and hoping for divine intervention, God expects us to use whatever means we have to meet the ministry need at hand.

Prayers, Walls, and a Mind to Work: http://www.icr.org/article/prayers-walls-mind-to-work/

@icrscience

This is a sound biblical principle that we may fail to remember at times. Rather than relying simply on prayer and hoping for divine intervention, God expects us to use whatever means we have to meet the ministry need at hand. Consider the Lord Jesus’ rebuke of those who asked Him to perform a miracle to test Him or merely to see something curious: “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe” (John 4:48). Nor does He condone prayer in lieu of obedience. As Joshua was praying for deliverance from the enemy, “the LORD said to Joshua: ‘Get up! Why do you lie thus on your face? Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them’” (Joshua 7:10-11). The same applies to prayer in lieu of effort, for “faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:17). God provides even for the birds of the air—but He still expects them to scratch for the worm (Matthew 6:26)!

Just as Nehemiah was called by God some 2,500 years ago to complete a significant project, God has called ICR to do an important work here in the 21st century. The ICR Discovery Center for Science and Earth History is ICR’s “wall,” and like Nehemiah, it is a project that requires much prayer and many hands. The ICR staff meets together every work day to pray, asking the Lord for His wisdom and guidance as we work through each detail. We also ask for His special financial provision—and He has been faithful to supply so much! But our wall is only half built, and we need help from God’s people with “a mind to work.” Will you claim a portion of our “wall” as your own? Please give generously to the ICR Discovery Center. But above all, pray!

* Mr. Morris is Director of Donor Relations at the Institute for Creation Research.

Cite this article: Henry M. Morris IV. 2018. Prayers, Walls, and a Mind to Work. Acts & Facts. 47 (4).

The Latest
NEWS
Creation's Easter Message
While many Christians still consider the creation doctrine a fringe issue, a proper understanding of the Christian message finds creation at its core...

NEWS
ICR Veteran Don Barber Retires
Don Barber   After 34 years with the Institute for Creation Research, Director of Enterprise Technology Don Barber will retire...

CREATION.LIVE PODCAST
The Sanctity of Life | Creation.Live Podcast: Episode 23
Abortion is a big issue culturally and in the church. How can believers love our neighbors and act as the hands and feet of Christ when it comes...

NEWS
Plant Receptors Are Designed to Control Immunity and Development
God has designed plants to continuously track their environment.1 They do so with specially designed detectors (also called receptors) on...

CREATION PODCAST
Homo Naledi: The Lies Behind Evolution's Rising Star | The Creation...
Homo naledi, once evolution's 'rising star,' was considered to be a prime example of human evolution. But is it really proof? Or...

NEWS
A Subsurface Ocean on Mimas?
Scientists have analyzed data obtained from the Cassini spacecraft and concluded that irregularities in the orbit of Saturn’s moon Mimas indicate...

NEWS
In Theaters March 20 & 21: The Ark and the Darkness
Is Genesis true? What about Noah’s Flood? How did Noah fit the animals on the ark? Wasn’t it a local flood? Have you asked these questions? Though...

NEWS
Enigmatic Fossil Plants
The pre-Flood world thousands of years ago was unlike the world of today.1 Unfamiliar animals and plants were common, and there were a lot...

NEWS
Surprisingly Colorful Fossil Snail Shells
Finding organic compounds such as flexible dinosaur collagen and complete bone cells1,2 is becoming common, much to the shock and consternation...

NEWS
March 2024 ICR Wallpaper
"He is not here; for He is risen, as He said." (Matthew 28:6 NKJV) ICR March 2024 wallpaper is now available for mobile, tablet,...