The Power of Intercession: Burdened to Build

In the book of Nehemiah, we find a powerful example of how intercession can transform not just individuals, but entire nations. Nehemiah's story is one of burden, prayer, and action – a blueprint for how we can approach God with our deepest concerns and see miraculous change unfold.

Nehemiah was living in Susa, the winter capital of the Persian Empire, serving as cupbearer to King Artaxerxes. Though he was 900 miles away from Jerusalem, his heart burned with concern for his homeland. When his brother arrived with news of Jerusalem's dire state – its walls broken down, its gates burned – Nehemiah's response was immediate and profound. He sat down, wept, mourned, fasted, and prayed.

This is where true intercession begins – with a burden. It's not a casual prayer thrown up in passing, but a deep, soul-stirring ache that keeps us awake at night. What burns in your heart today? What questions about people, nations, or situations in your life can you not shake? These are the seeds of intercession.

Nehemiah's burden led him to pray and fast for four months. His intercession wasn't a quick fix or a token gesture. It was a sustained, passionate plea before God. And in this, we see the process of intercession unfold:

1. Recognize God's Greatness: Nehemiah began his prayer by acknowledging God's awesome nature and faithfulness. "Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments." When we approach God in prayer, we must first center ourselves on His character and promises.

2. Recognize Our Sin: Nehemiah didn't point fingers or blame others for Jerusalem's state. Instead, he confessed his own sins and the sins of his people. This humility is crucial in intercession. We can't approach God from a place of superiority, but must come broken and contrite.

3. Remember Scripture: Nehemiah's prayer was rooted in God's promises. He reminded God of His words to Moses, not because God had forgotten, but because Nehemiah was claiming those ancient promises for his present situation. Our intercession becomes powerful when we pray God's Word back to Him.

This process of intercession isn't just about changing circumstances; it changes us. As we focus on God's greatness, our own shortcomings, and His enduring promises, we are transformed. Our perspective shifts, our faith grows, and we begin to see things from God's vantage point.

Intercession also prepares us for action. Nehemiah didn't just pray; he positioned himself to be part of the solution. His role as cupbearer, which might have seemed insignificant, became the very means by which he could approach the king and request permission to rebuild Jerusalem's walls.

Too often, we view our current circumstances as limitations or mistakes. We ask, "Why am I here?" instead of "What is God preparing me for?" Intercession opens our eyes to see how God is already working, even when we feel stuck or overlooked.

Consider your own life. Where has God placed you? Instead of questioning why, ask for a burden. What is it in this season that God has positioned you to address? The answer often lies in what keeps you up at night, what moves you to tears, what you can't stop thinking about.

Intercession is not a passive activity. It's active, engaging, and transformative. It's standing in the gap between heaven and earth, between God's promises and our present reality. It's saying, "God, Your word says this, but my situation looks like this. I'm not giving up until I see alignment between Your promises and my circumstances."

This kind of prayer requires perseverance. Nehemiah prayed for four months before taking action. In our instant-gratification culture, are we willing to invest that kind of time and energy in prayer? Are we willing to carry a burden until we see breakthrough?

The beauty of intercession is that it's not about our eloquence or spiritual prowess. It's about connecting our heart with God's heart. It's about aligning our will with His will. As we do this, we become conduits of His power and agents of His purposes.

Nehemiah's story reminds us that no situation is too far gone for God. Jerusalem's walls had been in ruins for 150 years. The people were demoralized and ashamed. But one man's intercession set in motion a chain of events that would restore not just the city's physical defenses, but its spiritual vitality as well.

What walls need rebuilding in your life? In your family? In your community? In our nation? Don't underestimate the power of intercession to bring about change. Start by recognizing God's greatness, confessing your own shortcomings, and standing on His promises. Cultivate a burden for what breaks God's heart. Let that burden fuel your prayers and prepare you for action.

Remember, God is already at work, often in ways we can't see or understand. Our job is to align ourselves with His purposes through prayer and be ready to move when He says move. Like Nehemiah, we might find that the very position we've been questioning is the exact place God intends to use for His glory.

As we embrace the power of intercession, we become part of a legacy that stretches back through the ages – a legacy of men and women who dared to stand in the gap, who refused to accept the status quo, and who believed that through prayer, nations could be changed, walls could be rebuilt, and God's purposes could be fulfilled on earth as they are in heaven.

Let us be a people burdened to build, committed to intercession, and ready for action. The walls around us may be broken, but our God is greater. Let our prayers rise, and let our hands be ready to work. For in the end, it is not by might, nor by power, but by God's Spirit that true transformation comes.