Above the Noise: A Reactionary Response - Focused Prayer

Human nature is, at times, reactionary. After all, it’s a law of physics. Newton’s third law: Action and Reaction, tells us that for every action, there is an equal and opposite action. When threatened, we retaliate, or we run. When attacked, we fight back, or we flee. But how do we react when difficulty and tragedy come? Do we react out of emotion and heartache? What is our response when we hear devastating news?

The book of Nehemiah serves as a great example of leadership. After all, Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem in 52 days. Moreover, he weathered the storm of discouragements, plots against him, and outright opposition in the face of an overwhelming project.

However, there is a clue to something more in the book's first chapter. Nehemiah is in exile serving as the cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes. Upon inquiring how things were back home in Jerusalem, Nehemiah gets some devastating news. The walls of Jerusalem are in ruin, and the people are in great trouble.

Nehemiah’s reactionary response was not to formulate a plan to rebuild the walls and re-establish the people. He prayed. “As soon as I heard these words, I sat down and wept, and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven” (Neh. 1:4). This was no quick “Lord please bless all the people and make them happy” sort of prayer.

I note a couple of things about Nehemiah’s initial reaction and prayer. First, it was a natural emotional response of empathy and identification with those back in Jerusalem. Second, it was prolonged communion with God that included fasting and prayer. Third, it was a prayer directed to the One who could intervene, not humanly, but supernaturally. Finally, it was a prayer that recognized the God of heaven, the Creator of all things. While living and serving in a pagan land, Nehemiah rose above that culture's noise and religion and saw something people often fail to see in times of tragedy; God was still in control. Even in captivity and exile, among pagan gods, goddesses, and wickedness, the God of heaven still reigned.

So how do we react when devastating news arrives? Are we reactionary – we can fix it? Do we respond with fear and flee? Or do we, like Nehemiah, recognize that the answer is not found in our strength and ability but in the power of the creator of the universe that loves us and gave Himself for us?

Like many of us, I lament that my prayer life can often be determined by the day's busyness or the weekly demands. It is far too easy to throw up a quick “Lord, bless them all” prayer, and move out to meet the day's demands. “Lord, teach me to be like Nehemiah, that my prayer life would be one of time spent with you, of lament, of mourning over sin and failure and the needs of this world.”

The noise of this world keeps us busy. Life gets complicated, and we develop auto-responses to crises, difficulty, to threats, and we often forget that we are wired to have fellowship with the Father through the Son in the power of the Spirit. If you read Nehemiah chapter one, you will see his prayer didn't end with lament and fasting. It continued with a rehearsal of God's character, who He is, His love, and His promises to His people. Nehemiah reminded God of His word that His people are a redeemed people, and so are we! May our reaction to any crisis be to pray rather than plan.

Focused prayer – the answer to any crises!

Rev. Bill Allan
AGC President