Articles
Why does SAM do “Prayer On the Wall” prior to Gatherings?
Barbara L. Klika, MSW, Undershepherd, Life Coach
July 2019
As we have welcomed guests, they often observe that many of our members rise up and position themselves around our gathering for prayer as part of our preparation for worship time. Where did this practice come from and what does it mean?
Many years ago, during a season of time in which we recognized much spiritual harassment, we realized that it was having an impact on our ability to fully enter into worship and praise, as well as seeing some challenges to us being able to carry out our ministry in SAM. It was about the time that Barb was studying especially about Nehemiah and his return to Jerusalem.
Rebuilding the Wall of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 1:1-7:73)
In keeping with our understanding that the Scriptures represent thematic subjects that repeat over time, and are often prophetic of times to come, we saw several parallels for us. We saw the parallel between the time of return from exile in Babylon and the need to rebuild the ancient walls and our modern day return to the ancient paths to come back to Torah and build community around Messiah.
As you read the story, you see the many harassments that came against the small remnant Nehemiah was able to inspire to work together to accomplish a task seen as too large for any of them, as they were more whole heartedly returning to honor the Elohim of Israel, YHWH. We saw Nehemiah’s repeated rejection of the interference of Sanballot, Tobiah and Gershom, even to the point of declaring that they would work with one hand on the sword in order to continue.
You will find more specifics in our study series, Prepare Messiah's Bride, that will explain further about our identification with this wall.
Briefly, there are thirteen Hebrew words that are translated as “wall” and a few Aramaic ones, but the one that is used here, and in other relevant places is הָ ומֹח 'chowmah.' This type of wall has to do with joining and being a wall of protection. We see the connection going even further in that the Song of Solomon uses the same word, ‘chowmah’ to describe His Bride. We see a connection then with being a wall of protection ourselves, as an ezer knegdo… This word is usually translated as “helpmate” speaking of a wife and has to do also with being one who acts as a delivererand speaks for what is good and against what is bad. We see this as a similar function to the chowmah/wall. So, we, ourselves, stand as a wall to speak for what is good and to speak against what is bad.
This is the challenge we face, moving toward restoration of all things. We stand with Messiah and endeavor to walk in His ways though we are seen as “too Jewish” by some, and “too Christian” by others. We stand in recognition of the need for discipleship, personal recovery and maturity for His people in our assembly though many people do not recognize they have need for these things. We stand for both Papa’s Torah (teaching of the Word/knowledge) and Mama’s Torah (character development and maturity)("My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck." Proverbs 1:8-9) though Mama’s Torah has been neglected by a large portion of Believers. We stand in recognition of the need for both personal and corporate identity and righteousness though many do not yet recognize that corporate identity is part of the preparation of Messiahs’ Bride. This small community that desires discipleship and sweet fellowship with our Messiah, chooses to not allow the encumbrances of life or schemes of the evil one to deter us from Him.
We know that our enemy is not really just flesh and blood, but the powers, principalities, thrones, dominions and spiritual forces of wickedness in high places. Taking our stand around each gathering, on the proverbial wall--AS the proverbial wall--is a declaration in the heavenly realms that we belong to YHWH Elohim, that we stand in Messiah Yeshua’s Name and finished work on our behalf, and we intend to continue working as He directs us while it is yet day, not allowing the interferences of people or unholy entities to stop us.
It is a spiritual warfare stance; one that we have been “in training” for over many years. We have a corporate mind to do this work! We do not expect people who do not yet understand the spiritual warfare we face to stand with us, nor do we think it wise for someone who doesn’t yet understand this to participate. As we teach and encourage, we do expect that the time will come when guests who determine to covenant in relationship with us as a community will become trained up and will join us in intercession and declaration as we symbolically represent the chowmah.
4Hear, O our God, for we are despised; turn their reproach on their own heads, and give them as plunder to a land of captivity! 5Do not cover their iniquity, and do not let their sin be blotted out from before You; for they have provoked You to anger before the builders.
6So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. Nehemiah 4: 4-6
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Why_does_SAM_do_Prayer_on_the_Wall_prior_to_Gatherings.pdf