A call to prayer

https://odb.org/2024/01/10/a-call-to-prayer

The book of Nehemiah is set at the time when the Israelites were exiled in Babylon. Nehemiah, the cup bearer for the Babylonian King, prayed on behalf of the Israelites that the LORD would forgive their past rebellious ways that despite warnings from Jeremiah of the consequences, they persisted in not obeying and following His law and percepts. The Israelites broke their Covenant relationship with God, and as a result, God scattered them away from the land He promised to Abraham and his descendants. Nehemiah was the one who started the return to Israel when he asked the King for permission to return to Jerusalem. In the end, he spearheaded efforts to rebuild the Temple and the walls of Jerusalem.

But it all started with a prayer on behalf of the people, the children of Israel. A prayer stemming from a genuine desire for the physical return of the exiles that they may prosper again as a people under God even as they now vowed to follow and obey His laws and percepts.

Our individual prayers matter. If we look at our current political situation, we despair seeing the Old Guard trying their best to find ways to overthrow or destabilise the current government. The country is not moving ahead. It is instead bogged down by these political shenanigans. The government needs to be watchful and be on guard all the time. Too much attention is now placed on political survival, thus neglecting efforts to improve the lives of the people. But the latter may well determine the former!

In our quiet time, as we commune with God and speak to Him on things that are of concern to us, pray for our country too. That we will move forward and progress as a nation. That there will be political stability. As a nation, we will live in peace and harmony despite our differences in creed, colour, and ethnicity. We should find strength and take advantage of our diversity.