I’ve been searching for a way to describe, or a story to tell that would help illustrate my growing understanding of what Transforming Melbourne is calling the church to. Essentially it is prayer and holistic mission, but what does this actually look like? As a church worker and mission practitioner for over 15 years, I’ve been struggling with how intercession and mission come together. However, when I read Nehemiah 4, some things seem to drop into place for me.
The scene is a defeated Israel, looking at their destroyed walls, remembering the former glory of their city. Nehemiah heard of their distress from Babylon, and got not only permission, but active support from the king to go and rebuild the walls, and effectively the city. Interestingly in terms of engagement with the world (Babylon), Nehemiah was part of the establishment, so to speak. He was responsible for the king’s wellbeing and many of his affairs. From that position, through relationship Nehemiah took the risk of appearing sad in the King’s presence and won his favour for this project.
As we get to Chapter 4, Nehemiah has rallied the remnant and they have started working on the walls. At the start all is cruisey and, I can imagine the sense of excitement and togetherness building. The sense of destiny returning. Then the enemy gets word of what is going on… and they are not happy. Sanballat, Tobiah and the others have enjoyed control of the once great Jerusalem and its people. That control is now being threatened.
Firstly there are insults about the workers and the quality of the work. (vs1-3) Nehemiah prays a prayer of desperation that turns into a mighty warfare prayer, calling on God as protector and vindicator. The work progressed quickly, because the people had a heart for it. (Their motivation was close to the surface.) (vs6) In terms of prayer and mission this is where it gets interesting, the two come together quite starkly over the next few verses. (I want to say here that I’m not using the story as a metaphor for something else, I want to use this story to illustrate a point.)
Sanballat, Tobiah and the others became furious, they vowed to fight against Jerusalem and create as much trouble as possible. Nehemiah got the people to pray and he set a round the clock guard on the wall. Drama builds as the workers begin to flag with the enormity of their task, and the threats continue. Nehemiah becomes more strategic, stationing guards at the most vulnerable places along the wall and assigning families with swords, lances and bows. As the task of building continues, prayer comes to the forefront again. Nehemiah calls the people to put their minds on their Master and then fight for their brothers, sons, daughters, wives, and homes. (vs13-14)
Seems a great combination, to be mindful of God and the reasons why we want to make a difference in the world. And then to actually do it!!
So the Israelites went back to work, half of them stood guard, while the other half worked on the wall. The half working on the wall had a tool in one hand and weapon in the other. (vs 15-18) What a wonderful picture… I think it was Oliver Cromwell (Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland 1653-1658 – and yes, I know he didn’t get it all right) who said, ‘Pray as if everything depends on God, work as if everything depends on us.’
So can you see the connections and the links between prayer and mission? Transforming Melbourne is calling the church to a holistic expression of Kingdom life. One that includes prayer as the engine room of mission. That sees the pray-ers in the thick of it, not secluded in a back room or as a marginalised part of the church. The call is to see prayer and mission as complementary, as part of the same whole. The builders must know how to fight, to be both excellent at their task and committed to warfare in prayer. Those standing guard need to engage fully in the work of prayer and be intimately aware of the mission and all that is involved.
Perhaps the last thing to mention is the trumpeter. Nehemiah kept him close to sound the alarm. Should the battle begin, all the men would run to the call of the trumpeter and would fight together. Pretty wonderful illustration of the body, don’t you think? Likewise, Transforming Melbourne from time to time sounds the alarm for the church to come together in prayer and action.
Be great to hear what you think.
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