Book Review: ‘Building a Wall of Prayer’, by Basilea Schlink 

Basilea Schlink was one of the most remarkable Christian figures of the twentieth century. From a very young age she devoted herself to God wholeheartedly. She was the founder of the Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary which began in Darmstadt, Germany but spread across the world during her lifetime. I thoroughly commend her auto-biography I Found the Key to the Heart of God.

Intercession

A common thread throughout her life was intercessory prayer. As one who has also given much of the last 25 years to intercession as part of a dedicated Prayer House, I was very interested to come across this little book of 90 pages.

It is a reproduction of Basilea’s teaching given originally to members of her community. It also, strangely, includes the notation and lyrics for many of the songs she wrote during her ministry. I would say that these were most likely inspired by, and specific to, certain intercessions she was called to carry out, and not necessarily useful for us today. However, that is not to dismiss their powerful poetry, which might well be appreciated by some.

Basilea’s understanding of the imminence of the end-times and God moving across the world to bring judgement on sin is the theological background to her writing. She sees a prayerless Church and uses the booklet to teach and urge God’s people to pray. Because if we do not, then the enemy will simply storm the gates of our nation, as in fact we can already see Him doing.

Daniel: A Man of Prayer with a Priestly Calling

The book opens with a simple study on the intercessory life and prayer of Daniel found in chapter 9 of the biblical book under his name. Daniel  is deeply concerned about the state of his nation. But rather than give his attention to it, he chooses instead to set his face wholeheartedly towards the Lord.

Daniel  is deeply concerned about the state of his nation. But rather than give his attention to it, he chooses instead to set his face wholeheartedly towards the Lord.

He does not point the finger at others and say; ‘They did this’ or ‘they did that’. Rather, he pours out his own heartfelt intercession to God, humbly acknowledging and confessing his own sins as being contributary to the greater sin and guilt of his people. He literally identifies with the nation’s sins rather than projecting blame onto others.

“Confession of sin and repentance are the prerequisites for receiving help [from God].” (p.12).

Daniel’s intercession was ‘with fasting’, which means that his praying was underlaid with sacrifice; it was costly. Sacrifice is not a popular concept in today’s Church, but if we wish to see God move in power in our own nation, then the challenge to us is a sacrificial one and remains the same as that voiced by Ezekiel in 22:30:

“I looked for a [person] to build up the wall and stand in the gap on behalf of the land, so that I should not destroy it; but I found none.”

Watchmen for the Nation

Prayer is one of our vital weapons of spiritual warfare. I was challenged by the way in which Basilea describes her response to the daily news broadcasts:

“…it was almost impossible to hear the daily news without giving an immediate response of prayer… Whenever we hear of a new calamity or an act of violence or blasphemy, we say ‘Lord have mercy! Lord forgive us our sins!’ (p.28).

Basilea’s community emulate Daniel’s model of identificational confession before God - standing in the gap for the sins of the perpetrators and beseeching God to act mercifully.

In this way the members of Basilea’s community emulate Daniel’s model of identificational confession before God - standing in the gap for the sins of the perpetrators and beseeching God to act mercifully.
There’s no denying that Basilea’s standard is a very high bar. She says:

“At the judgement seat…we will be asked whether we were in a stage of constant prayer throughout the day, regardless of where we were or what we were doing.” (p.30).

I’m not sure about the biblical necessity of such an act, but I found a huge personal challenge in it for me.

Basilea gives a variety of liturgical prayers written for particular contexts. E.g: repentance and intercession for the nation; for Israel; for times of natural disaster; a terrorist attack; against blasphemy; for youths who may be into heavy rock music and thereby influenced by the enemy. These lists are old now and perhaps in need of updating for the 21^st century, but the prayers are useful and could easily be adapted for any situation or need.         

Protection in a Satanic Age

I was impressed with the seriousness with which Basilea takes the need to ‘take our stand against the devil’s schemes’ (Eph 6:11). She clearly perceives the strategy and schemes of the enemy against every nation and urges those who understand their identity in Christ to rise up and pray. She says:

“…the time has come to take the powers of evil seriously and to claim protection from them…the enemy must pay attention to prayers… Satan is forced to retreat from houses, property, towns and people’s souls. He must yield when they are placed under the sign of Jesus’ cross…and covered by the blood.” (p.64).

She clearly perceives the strategy and schemes of the enemy against every nation and urges those who understand their identity in Christ to rise up and pray. 

As previously, Basilea gives a useful  prayer for protection against curses followed by a number of her own songs of victory.

Pronouncing Blessings

Another priestly role is that of blessing the people (Num 6:23-27). She provides a powerful Litany of Blessing which, again, is followed by a number of her songs (p.81).

Give God the Glory

Basilea finishes the short book with a brief section in which she encourages us, in these ‘end-times’, to consider the model used by the believers in Acts 4:23-31. This was a simple prayer in adoration of God as Creator and Lord over all; and whilst they didn’t ignore the schemes of the enemy, neither did they dwell on them. At the conclusion of their prayer …

“…the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” (v.31).

She remarks, “The primary prayer of the New Testament Church was not ‘Lord protect us, help us.’ In the face of distress and persecution a mighty anthem of adoration rose to God from the believers” (p.87).

She finishes with the challenge; “Should that not be our prayer today?” To which I must say a resounded ‘Yes and Amen!’

Until we see Jesus return, it contains much that is true, relevant and useful.

This is a short and simple book, but it contains some nuggets of gold. Though written several decades ago, it is not in any way out of time, because the context in which it was written was that of the ‘end-times’. So, until we see Jesus return, it contains much that is true, relevant and useful.

Building a Wall of Prayer is available from eden.co.uk for £3.99 plus p&p. Second hand copies are also available on Ebay and Amazon.