The City Invasion
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Allan Gerh
Mar 28, 2011, 4:30:34 AM3/28/11
to burning-...@googlegroups.com, lucy biketi, jnya...@yahoo.com, Judith Nosiphiwo Lumkwana, stella...@yahoo.com, STEVE WASONGA, NDUKU MAKAU, NHTHAMBI MAKAU
The City Invasion
In your dreams, what would you want this city to be or look like?
This city was founded to be a city of cool waters! Nairobi is a Maasai name
that means exactly that. It was to be a place where families settled, relaxed,
lived in safety and the enjoyed the amazing climate. I celebrate this great
city. We have wonderful parks (the only city with a national park in its
backyard), hard-working and warm people, and some working systems. We have some
excellent schools and colleges that attract people from a far. Excellent
tropical climate. And so much more!
Now flip the coin. Do we have issues as a city? What frustrates you about
Nairobi? Water shortages, power outages, car-jacking, crime, slums with
unimaginable living standards, poor health care? Nairobi has issues. We all
experience them, and no matter your economic class, you cannot be fully
insulated from the problems of the city. Would you love to see the glory of
Nairobi restored?
Read Nehemiah 1:1-11
Two things we learn from Nehemiah’s response, vs 4-11
1. God cares about the city, and so should we! Nehemiah was moved by the story
of the city. He grieved, wept and mourned. God has a dream for the city. God’s
frustration is to see the world of difference between his plan for Nairobi and
the present reality.
2. Prayer avails the power! He went into a long conversation with God about
the city. Asking for guidance, power to be able to do something, for favor
before the king (leave of absence, letters and resources) and strength to
overcome the opposition
What is the Nehemiah way? Touch the Heavens, Transform the City!
Prayer is the tool that bridges the gap between God’s dream for the city and
the reality at our hands. Prayer welcomes the King (Matthew 6: 10) – Your
kingdom come in Nairobi and your will be done here as it is in heaven. The way
to invade our estates, neighborhoods and the communities around us is to use
the weapons of prayer and action. 2 Corinthians 10:4 tells us that our weapons
are not worldly, but they are mighty in God to the pulling down of strongholds.
To be effective, our prayers and acts of love should be guided by:
* Information: Begin to investigate the needs and issues around your
community. Find out the relevant info by looking at the history, structure,
relationships and attitudes prevailing in the city and in your community.
* Insight. As you pray for the city, God will give you insights into the
community as he sees it. He may give you a vision, discernment, a word or a
picture of what is or what is to come. Use this info for prayer and action.
It is time to invade the city. It is time to saturate our estates with prayer
and love.
Touch the Heavens, Transform the City!
Nehemiah’s story ended well: “So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of
Elul, in fifty-two days. When all our enemies heard about this, all the
surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they
realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.” (6:15,16)
ABCs—How do we apply this?
* Always start where you are; 10 mins prayer every day for your hood, ask your
small group to do a prayer walk/ drive in your hood – pray on site with insight.
* Be honest with what your part has been (action), how are you part of the
problem—sort out the man in the mirror; what are the things I have not done I
should have/could have done? (inaction)
* Continue with the conversation; Acts 17: 26 ‘it is no coincidence you live
where you live’ Keep it going, it’s both an event and a process. Nehemiah
prayed and worked until the place was changed.
In your dreams, what would you want this city to be or look like?
This city was founded to be a city of cool waters! Nairobi is a Maasai name
that means exactly that. It was to be a place where families settled, relaxed,
lived in safety and the enjoyed the amazing climate. I celebrate this great
city. We have wonderful parks (the only city with a national park in its
backyard), hard-working and warm people, and some working systems. We have some
excellent schools and colleges that attract people from a far. Excellent
tropical climate. And so much more!
Now flip the coin. Do we have issues as a city? What frustrates you about
Nairobi? Water shortages, power outages, car-jacking, crime, slums with
unimaginable living standards, poor health care? Nairobi has issues. We all
experience them, and no matter your economic class, you cannot be fully
insulated from the problems of the city. Would you love to see the glory of
Nairobi restored?
Read Nehemiah 1:1-11
Two things we learn from Nehemiah’s response, vs 4-11
1. God cares about the city, and so should we! Nehemiah was moved by the story
of the city. He grieved, wept and mourned. God has a dream for the city. God’s
frustration is to see the world of difference between his plan for Nairobi and
the present reality.
2. Prayer avails the power! He went into a long conversation with God about
the city. Asking for guidance, power to be able to do something, for favor
before the king (leave of absence, letters and resources) and strength to
overcome the opposition
What is the Nehemiah way? Touch the Heavens, Transform the City!
Prayer is the tool that bridges the gap between God’s dream for the city and
the reality at our hands. Prayer welcomes the King (Matthew 6: 10) – Your
kingdom come in Nairobi and your will be done here as it is in heaven. The way
to invade our estates, neighborhoods and the communities around us is to use
the weapons of prayer and action. 2 Corinthians 10:4 tells us that our weapons
are not worldly, but they are mighty in God to the pulling down of strongholds.
To be effective, our prayers and acts of love should be guided by:
* Information: Begin to investigate the needs and issues around your
community. Find out the relevant info by looking at the history, structure,
relationships and attitudes prevailing in the city and in your community.
* Insight. As you pray for the city, God will give you insights into the
community as he sees it. He may give you a vision, discernment, a word or a
picture of what is or what is to come. Use this info for prayer and action.
It is time to invade the city. It is time to saturate our estates with prayer
and love.
Touch the Heavens, Transform the City!
Nehemiah’s story ended well: “So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of
Elul, in fifty-two days. When all our enemies heard about this, all the
surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they
realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.” (6:15,16)
ABCs—How do we apply this?
* Always start where you are; 10 mins prayer every day for your hood, ask your
small group to do a prayer walk/ drive in your hood – pray on site with insight.
* Be honest with what your part has been (action), how are you part of the
problem—sort out the man in the mirror; what are the things I have not done I
should have/could have done? (inaction)
* Continue with the conversation; Acts 17: 26 ‘it is no coincidence you live
where you live’ Keep it going, it’s both an event and a process. Nehemiah
prayed and worked until the place was changed.
MIRRIAM NZYUKO
Mar 30, 2011, 6:58:07 AM3/30/11
to burning-...@googlegroups.com
Allan
Thank you for the good work. Keep on and God bless you.
mirriam
Allan Gerh
Mar 30, 2011, 7:04:29 AM3/30/11
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Welcome mum.we are to take the initiative and put the sermon into practice.
Allan Gerh
Mar 30, 2011, 7:04:41 AM3/30/11
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Caroline Musyoka
Apr 1, 2011, 2:00:06 AM4/1/11
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Hi! It's been a while!Bt, hop you are all fine.Nimewahata plus the fellowship. Ni shule tu.Hoping to come for the swatchova.Wishing you a great weekend and see you soon.Caro.
From: MIRRIAM NZYUKO <mirriam...@gmail.com>
To: burning-...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Wed, March 30, 2011 1:58:07 PM
Subject: Re: The City Invasion
MIRRIAM NZYUKO
Apr 4, 2011, 6:29:16 AM4/4/11
to burning-...@googlegroups.com, Caroline Musyoka
Carol
Thank you for missing us. we too miss you dearly. May the Lord see you through your studies.
Mirriam (Mama Enoch)
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