What is needed of the believer in these times of our nation?  Jennifer LeClaire, of Charisma, believes it is the intercessor who is committed to pray for the governmental structure of our nation–spiritually and naturally.  That is what we at Intercessors for America have been called to do since our founding in 1973.  God has called us as intercessors to pray for our nation, leaders, our government and our people as a country.  Thousands upon thousands have been joining faithfully together with IFA to pray through the years–often quietly in the background, as many believers have not shared the burden of intercession for our nation.  Today, the burden of prayer for our nation is being felt by many others who are awakening to the fact that only PRAYER not a change in regime, will alter the path of our nation.  Many who are beginning to pray will need the guidance, the wisdom and the leadership of those of us who have been praying for years for our nation.  LeClaire outlines great points from the book of Nehemiah on how we as intercessors can proceed.

From Jennifer LeClaire, of Charisma:

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Complacency, apathy, prayerlessness and all manner of sin has slowly chipped away at America’s spiritual walls. Repentance and prayer make up the mortar that will help us rebuild the walls around our nation. Brick by brick, turning away from what grieves the Father’s heart and fervent intercession will restore the hedge of protection around our nation.

Here’s what I heard the Lord say last week:

“I am calling on intercessors to rise in the spirit of Nehemiah and rebuild the hedge of protection around America. I am calling on those who will refuse to come down from the wall, who will discern the enemy’s strategies and refute them, and who will complete the work I’ve called them to start. I am seeking governmental intercessors to rally other prayer warriors to get in step with what I am trying to rebuild and restore what the enemy has destroyed and stolen. Rise up now and pray. Rise up now and stand in the gap. Rise up now to make up the hedge. I am looking for those who are willing so that My plans may be accomplished in this nation.”

With this, I set out to study what intercessors can learn from Nehemiah’s determination to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem. I believe if we operate in this same spirit, we can cooperate with the grace of God to rebuild what the enemy has torn down. Remember, when Nehemiah rebuilt the wall, there was no gap in it (Neh. 6:1). When intercessors truly stand in the gap, determined prayer will eventually close the gaps.

Nehemiah intercessors are weeping in this hour: When Nehemiah discovered the condition of the walls, he “sat down and wept and mourned for days. Then I fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven (Neh. 1:4).

Nehemiah intercessors will engage repentance for America’s sins: In Nehemiah 1:5-11 we see the man of God beseeching the Lord on behalf of Israel, acknowledging the nation’s sin and reminding God of His covenant.

Nehemiah intercessors will have favor with God and man: Nehemiah asked the king for permission to go rebuild the walls. Not only did the king give him permission, but he gave him supplies (Neh. 2:1-8).

Nehemiah intercessors survey the land: Like Nehemiah you need to assess the damage done so you know how to pray rightly (Neh. 2:11-18). Spiritual mapping comes in handy during this process. I write more about this in my book, Waging Spiritual Warfare.

Nehemiah intercessors will be mocked: You can expect unbelievers—and unbelieving believers—to mock your passion for your assignment. Don’t let that stop you. They mocked Jesus; surely they’ll mock you (see Neh. 2:19; Neh. 4:1-3).

Nehemiah servants have confidence in God’s restorative power: Nehemiah declared, “The God of heaven, He will enable us to prosper” (Neh. 2:20).

Nehemiah intercessors cast vision and rally the troops to press into God’s plan: In chapter 2, verses 17-18, Nehemiah says, “You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem is devastated and its gates are burned with fire. Come, and let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that we will no more be a reproach.’ Then I told them that the hand of my God had been good to me and also about the king’s words that he had spoken to me. And they said, ‘Let us rise up and build!’ So they strengthened their hands for the good work.”

In Nehemiah 3, we see the workers working.

Nehemiah intercessors carry a passion for God’s work: “So we rebuilt the wall until all of it was solidified up to half its height. The people had a passion for the work” (Neh. 4:6).

Nehemiah intercessors pray day and night: These prayer warriors understand that persistent prayer is required to see breakthrough. Nehemiah 4:9 says, “Nevertheless we prayed to our God, and, because of them, we set up a watch for them day and night.”

Nehemiah intercessors persevere in the face of opposition: “When Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabians, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard how the restoration of Jerusalem’s walls was progressing and how the breaches had begun to be sealed, it made them extremely furious. So they all conspired together to fight against Jerusalem in order to cause it chaos. Nevertheless we prayed to our God, and, because of them, we set up a watch for them day and night” (Neh. 4:7-9).

Nehemiah intercessors are warriors who aren’t afraid to fight: “Those rebuilding the wall and those hauling the loads were working with one hand doing the task, but with the other hand holding the weapon. For the builders, everyone had his sword bound to his side, even while rebuilding. The trumpet blower worked beside me” (Neh. 4:17-18). (Also see Neh. 4:23.)

Nehemiah intercessors confront injustice: In Nehemiah 5, we see the man of God dealing with oppression and injustice. In verse 6 he speaks, “I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these words. So I contemplated about this for myself and, as a result, I rebuked the nobles and officials … ”

Nehemiah intercessors will face false accusations: In Nehemiah 6:6-7, his detractors sent a him a letter accusing him of planning a rebellion and threatened to tell the king of his impure motives.

Nehemiah intercessors refuse to be intimidated by the enemy: In Nehemiah 6:8-11, the man of God set the record straight and asked God to strengthen his hands for the work.

Nehemiah intercessors won’t be swayed by false prophets: Tobiah and Sanballat hired a false prophet to scare Nehemiah and cause him to stop the work. Once again, he turned his face to God and refused to stop the work (Neh. 6:12-14).

Nehemiah intercessors keep praying until revival comes: Ezra reads the book of the law in chapter 8, which led to repentance. The people mourned and grieved until Ezra finally told them, “”Go your way. Eat the fat, drink the sweet drink, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Revival hit Jerusalem.

Nehemiah intercessors don’t even stop after revival comes: They understand that revival needs to turn into transformation and reformation and it can easily escape our grasp. Nehemiah 13 outlines the man of God’s reformations in Jerusalem after the revival. It didn’t take long for the nation to start backsliding.

God is calling Nehemiah intercessors in this hour. He will grace us to withstand the mocking, opposition, false prophets and other enemy assignments to thwart the rebuilding of the wall. He will bring transforming revival if we don’t give up and quit. Although the Nehemiah intercessor’s job is never really done and the warfare is real, the reward is great. Who will rise up and rebuild the walls in prayer?

By Jennifer LeClaire.