We were told, “Go home; there isn’t anyone on this campus that wants Jesus, and everyone has tried everything.” Instead of being deterred by these words, we doubled down on our efforts of prayer walking the campus daily—in anticipation of the coming Fall’s work. We were hoping for one bible study to be planted that Fall. Instead, four bible studies emerged and we took 40 students to Fall Conference!
When Nehemiah heard of the decline of the people of Israel—their community and their structures—he was cut to the heart “I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.” (Nehemiah 1:4). Nehemiah waited upon God in prayer for four months before springing into action. When he finally did move at the invitation of the King, no one can deny that the hand of God was upon him.
In InterVarsity what will we do when a campus is “in great trouble” because the witness to Jesus is struggling? I suggest we take the biblical example of Nehemiah and turn our heartache into intercession. Modern day testimonies concur with Nehemiah’s testimony. After a season of prayer and intercession for a campus, kingdom reality starts to take form where the presence of God had been absent.
So how do we turn our heartache into intercession?
In the season of waiting on God Nehemiah did four things.
Worshipped God
"Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments” Nehemiah 1:5
Listen to worship music as you and your partners prayer walk campus. Sing over the campus songs of adoration to God. Worship is powerful in welcoming the Spirit and removing the enemy, in the spiritual realm as well as in your own mind as you approach this mission field.
Repented
“I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you.” Nehemiah 1:6b
In prayer we can identify ways we and those who have gone before us have strayed from God and wounded others. Study your campus’ history. What idolatries and choices have led to this current reality? What can you identify as issues that block the gospel from coming to this place? Repent on behalf of yourself, the current campus population and for those who have gone before you. God hears us and delights in bringing cleansing to even deeply entrenched places of sin.
Fasted
“For some days I mourned and fasted” Nehemiah 1:4
Fasting is powerful. You don’t need to be a “master” to engage in fasting. Begin as you can, not as you cannot. Fast from food, or technology or negative thoughts—there are limitless opportunities. Listen to God for how to fast. Fasting can redirect our hearts to prayer, is a form of embodied intercession and breaks the power of the evil one.
Interceded
“Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name.” Nehemiah 1:6
What are the Lord’s dreams and visions for this campus? If the Kingdom came here fully, what would it look like amongst the students, the faculty, the staff, and administration? Once you can see the vision of what could be, pray it into being. Use your voice to call out to the God of heaven who hears and listens to His children. Intercession is a form of mediation. You are praying until it “is on earth as it is in heaven.” (Mathew 6:10)
Incorporate these ways that Nehemiah prayed into your prayer strategy for planting a campus and watch the Lord move powerfully, turning your intercession into Kingdom reality.
For further reflection:
Excellence in Leadership: Reaching Goals with Prayer, Courage and Determination, John White
Transformations, Revival in Cali Columbia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nm2zw_bvL_s