“When you hear the blast of the trumpet, rush to wherever it is sounding then our God will fight for us.” (Nehemiah 4v20)

Each month a letter goes out to the network of intercessors to give focus to some fasting that happens every second Friday of the month. Last month, we felt there was a call to the intercessors around the country to be built together to form a wall of protection so that the Church in our country can be rebuilt, and we were led to the story of Nehemiah. Immediately we had very encouraging confirmation, as others were being inspired in the same way.

The book of Nehemiah tells how the broken down walls of the Jerusalem were rebuilt by families, stationed next to each other – everyone helping. In the beginning there was much rubble to clear in order to get started, and it seemed overwhelming. But they continued. The work was threatened time and again as the enemy tried different tactics to stop them: trickery, threats of violence, mockery…. At one point they were so heavily attacked that half of them stopped building and went on defence duty, and the others built with one hand and carried a sword in the other! The work didn’t stop but when the watchman saw danger coming, the trumpet call was sounded and they all stopped and focused. They were all ready for action, at all times.

What does this mean for us? Many of us become overwhelmed by the state of the country, (and the Church!) or distracted by the amount of work to be done and the apparent strength and devious tactics of the enemy. But today’s trumpet call is: Focus everyone! Pay attention!

Let’s start building. Never mind how much rubble you see, just clear it out of the way, keeping your eyes on the goal. Your part matters, however small. Start now!

Let nothing distract you! And join with others in the work of rebuilding God’s kingdom through prayer. Be ready to use the prophetic words received as sharp swords to defeat the enemy. Let’s start learning to be always alert, by continually bringing our minds back to the Lord…

Frances Graham, the chairwoman of the Welsh NSC wrote to us, “As we are separated and are working at rebuilding the walls, listen for the “trumpet call” and our God will fight for us. Most of all, like Nehemiah, we must keep our eyes on the Lord at all times, really trusting him – it is His battle not ours.

Be resilient. We need to focus on the things of Heaven, not on worldly things. ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit’ Be bold!”

The wall did get finished, and stood firm for many years. The ruins can be seen today in Israel: made of big stones and little stones, because they worked together, and everyone, even the children, did what they could!