Shan Dai Advocacy

Nehemiah

March 23, 2007 on 12:57 pm | In His First Bible, Old Testament, PrayerGrams |

Life is best not lived alone in isolation, but in community. Nehemiah experienced communal living as the Israelites gathered together, each contributing to the repair of the walls and the gates of a ruined and disgraced Jerusalem. They labored together as a group. Like many minority groups, the Shan Dai are strong in community. When there is a wall to be repaired or a ditch to be dug, each does his part. In times of celebration and in times of grief, in seasons of planting and harvesting, Shan Dai people work together to provide for each other’s needs. Sadly, many of the Shan Dai have yet to know and embrace the One who desires to meet their ultimate need. Nehemiah knew that the people’s need was greater than a restored wall. They had a need to worship God as a community. Let’s join together today as individuals who love God, making up a community of believers, working together to pray for the Shan Dai. Father, may the Shan Dai experience the kind of worship that was lived out in chapters eight and nine of Nehemiah—people gathering and listening attentively to the Word of God, praises flowing, the confessing of sins and a renewing of commitment to God. “Then Ezra praised the LORD, the great God, and all the people chanted, ‘Amen! Amen!’ as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD…” (Nehemiah 8:6). Lord, bless each of us with Your joy and strength as out of love for You we all do our part in helping others to know that You can meet their greatest needs.