Prepare

Read: Nehemiah 1

As we enter in the final week of the year, let’s begin to prepare for the year to come. 2020 was a very difficult year for many, reshaping the world as we have come to know it. Reading Nehemiah 1, we see that bad news was brought to Nehemiah. It was revealed to him that the Jews, who were returning to Jerusalem from captivity, were in great trouble and disgrace, with their walls having been torn down and fire set to the area. 

This past year has been one of isolation, fear, anxiety and fighting. We have witnessed racial injustice, political unrest, increased unemployment, poverty and a pandemic, among many other things. 

Nehemiah’s response to the problems brought before him was one we all should look to mimic. “When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.” (‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭1:4‬)

He teaches us what our first response should be in the face of adversity. That we should pray and bring it to God. Corporately, as a church, we will commit to 14 days of prayer and fasting beginning next week. This week we should be preparing our bodies, minds and souls for that. Let’s use this week to turn down the volume of the world around us. Spend more time in reflection, prayer and God’s word. Be ready to commit this new year to God. Ask Him to be a part of it, invite God into your daily routine and ask Him to search you, and refine you.

Prayer: Father God, thank you for another day. Thank you for the blessings that you have provided and all the blessings still to come. I invite you into my heart and want to strengthen my relationship with you. Assist me in drawing closer to you, help me to speak with you, but also to listen and be patient for your response. Strengthen me, and help me to remember to rely on your strength, and to commit to daily prayer with you. Amen.