God's Glory Church

“And we prayed to our God, and set a guard against them day and night.” — Nehemiah 4:3

Wallace and Mary Brown decided to move to a poor area of Birmingham (England). A small church needed a pastor. But the couple did not know that a local gang operated on the territory adjacent to the church and the house in which they were supposed to live. Bricks were thrown at the Browns’ windows, fences were set on fire, and their children were threatened. The violence continued for months, and the police could do nothing.

The book of the prophet Nehemiah tells how the Israelites rebuilt the destroyed walls of Jerusalem. When the enemies “conspired … to cause … confusion” (Neh. 4:2), the Israelites “prayed to … God, and set a watchman against them” (v. 3). Sensing that God was guiding them through this text from the Bible, the Browns, their children, and a few others circled the walls of the church, praying that He would place angels on guard to protect them. The thugs taunted, but the next day only half of the gang showed up. Then there were only five bandits, and after another day no one came at all. The Browns later heard that the gang had stopped terrorizing people.

This miraculous answer to prayer is not a formula for our own defense, but it reminds us that opposition to God’s work will come and must be dealt with by the weapon of prayer. “Remember the great and terrible Lord,” said Nehemiah to the Israelites (v. 8). He can change even cruel hearts.

What would you do if you were the Brown family? Who needs your prayers for salvation today?

Amazing God, send Your mighty angels to protect Your people and change the hearts of the enemies.

Author: Sheridan Voysey