Walls
     In the 1990s, I regularly attended prayer meetings where we intercede for our nation. At each gathering, the leader would read the familiar verse from 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV) “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
     We used this passage as our blueprint for prayer, humbling ourselves and seeking God's face. Yet during one meeting, I remember asking God, “We’re following the steps outlined in this scripture—so what are we missing?" I felt God whisper: “You’re not embracing the ministry of reconciliation.”
     Years later, in 2006, while in China to bring home our daughter, I sensed God speak again: “Before the walls come down in your cities, they must first fall within the Church.”​​​Over time, this truth has become clearer to me. It’s through embracing the ministry of reconciliation that these internal walls—division, pride, unforgiveness—can begin to fall.
     So, let’s take a deeper look at those walls and the transformative power of reconciliation.​​
         I) Let the Walls Fall in the Church First
     Before the walls come down in the lost world, they must fall within the Church. Walls of social and cultural division—minorities feeling inadequate, as though they’ll never be enough; whites carrying shame, burdened by a sense of guilt.      Walls of economic disparity—between rich, middle class, and poor. Yet the truth remains: we are all equal at the foot of the cross, and we are far more alike than we are different. We must emphasize what unites us.
     We don't need more programs—we need more Light. God wants to shine His light into us, but our walls, our closedness, often block Him.
     Like the children of Israel yearning for Egypt, we sometimes long for systems and laws that merely regulate behavior rather than transform hearts. Instead, we are called to focus on what God is doing in our midst—not what we think we lack. We are called to contentment.​
II) The Ministry of Reconciliation
How do the walls fall in the Church? Through embracing the Ministry of Reconciliation. The ministry of reconciliation is found in 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
The Ministry of Reconciliation has been given to all believers. It is sharing our testimony on how God has saved us from ourselves and our sins. As we share our testimonies it is God through His Holy Spirit pleading with the lost world to be reconciled with God. That they too may know His salvation, forgiveness, peace with God, cleanse from sin, and that they are truly loved. That Jesus took our sins, so we can become the righteousness of God. Sometimes as Christ Jesus Ambassadors we are asked to step into the middle of a situation with a person who has been hurt, offended, by a Christian, or a church. To ask them to forgive the situation, so that they may come back to God or to get saved and start a relationship with God the Father through Christ Jesus.
Philemon is an excellent letter on the Ministry of Reconciliation. Paul writes a letter on behalf of Onesimus, a runaway slave. To his owner Philmon and ask him from love, not demanding him to forgive and receive Onesimus back as a brother.
In Christ, we are brothers and sisters, regardless of past sins or present differences. We must learn to see each other through the eyes of Christ—with love and grace.
Remember we’re called to walk in forgiveness, as Jesus commanded us. But sometimes we may need help from a brother or sister in Christ. Unity within the Church is powerful and necessary to impact the world. No single person or congregation can accomplish this alone. We must emphasize unity—God’s team concept. We need each other. We must see one another through a biblical lens.
The power of the Gospel is a message of forgiveness and reconciliation. Through Christ, our broken relationship with God is healed. Now, we are called to extend that healing to others—especially those who have hurt us. 
Seek peace, not personal justification. 
Don’t defend your actions—apologize for your part in the hurt. 
           Love others sincerely—not from obligation, but from compassion. When we show someone genuine love, God can move on them.   
              Broken relationships wound not just the Church—they grieve the Father. (Parents, you know the pain when your children are divided.) Let us pursue reconciliation with compassion, humility, and grace.
              Let us build relationships on mutual respect and love—not on worldly systems of separation. As we seek healing and restoration, God will tear down the walls within us and His Church, preparing us to impact the world through His ministry of reconciliation.​
III) Tearing Down Our Walls
Each of us must let God tear down the walls within our hearts. Let us praise Him not just when He answers with "yes," but even when He says "no." For in all things, He is shaping us—so His light may shine through us, by grace, and the world may see Jesus. This transformation is a process—sanctification—not an instant event. Our walls hinder God’s movement in our lives and allow us to justify attacking one another.
So, I ask: Do you truly desire to see the walls fall within the Church—so they may also fall in a broken world?​Or are you more comfortable clinging to justification and the status quo?​