Recently studied Book of Nehemiah to prepare for a quiz competition that was held in family camp. One thing became evident as we went through each chapter: Nehemiah was more than just a leader or a builder. Above all, he was a man of prayer.
Nehemiah's prayer in chapter 1 is something from that journey that has remained with me long after the camp have ended, even though the competition is over.
I felt driven to share the truths that continue to influence my own relationship with God after reading it. This is more than just a passage; it's a model for leadership, a guide for intercession.
Nehemiah's prayer is a deeply heartfelt and content prayer. It might be offered from Shushan citadel, but not of luxury, even though Nehemiah had the privilege of such a life. Instead, he chose to humble himself. The words in the verses—“sat down,” “wept,” “mourned,” “fasted,” and “for many days”—reveal the posture of his heart and the depth of his burden. This is the place from which his prayer begins. More than the content of the prayer itself, it is Nehemiah’s humility that captures God's attention.
Nehemiah immediately seeks God's face in prayer rather than planning to focus on rebuild, when he learns that Jerusalem is in ruins and that God's people are in terrible distress.
One of the strongest intercessionary prayers in the Bible is Nehemiah's. It shows how deeply burdened a man is, not only for the physical reconstruction of a city but also for the spiritual healing of a people.
1. Exalting the Greatness of God, and Declaring God as the Covenant Keeper
"I pray, Lord God of heaven, O great and awesome God, You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love You and observe Your commandments..." (Nehemiah 1:5)
Nehemiah worships before he prays. By recognizing God as the "Lord God of heaven," he affirms God's absolute power and sovereignty over everything. His use of the words "great and awesome" to describe God inspires holy fear and awe. By exalting God's majesty, power, and glory, this phrase conveys the idea that God is both exalted and approachable.
2. Perseverantly Pleading with Confession of Sin—of All, of the Father's House, and of Self
"...please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now, day and night, for the children of Israel Your servants, and confess the sins... which we have sinned against You. Both my father’s house and I have sinned." (Nehemiah 1:6)
Nehemiah makes no excuses for himself or his people. The nation, his ancestors, and even himself are all included in the confession. He says "we have sinned," not just "they have sinned." This demonstrates both his humility and his strong sense of identification with the wrongdoing of the people.
3. Proclamation of the Promises Given to the Forefathers
“Remember, I pray, the word that You commanded Your servant Moses...” (Nehemiah 1:8–9)
Nehemiah asks God to "remember" His Word in order to uphold His promises, not because God forgets. He cites the covenant terms that Moses was given, which stated that the people would be scattered if they disobeyed God but would be gathered and restored if they repented.
4. Wisely Proclaiming Redemption—Making the Future State the Current State
“Now these are Your servants and Your people, whom You have redeemed by Your great power, and by Your strong hand.” (Nehemiah 1:10)
Nehemiah declares the people to be already redeemed, despite the fact that they are still in distress and exile. He boldly declares that they have been redeemed "by Your great power" and addresses them as "Your servants and Your people," rather than as abandoned.
Let's take an honest look at our lives and hearts. Many things might not be in accordance with God's will. People who are in great distress and in dire need of hope and salvation are all around us. May we be inspired to rise, rebuild, and repair what is damaged today by the same burden that moved Nehemiah.
"However, I will not tear away the whole kingdom; I will give one tribe to your son for the sake of My servant David, and for the sake of Jerusalem which I have chosen" (1 Kings 11:13)
Fun Facts & Timeline
- 586 BC: City of Jerusalem burned and destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon — end of the kingdom of Judah and exile of the Jewish people.
- 535–516 BC: Zerubbabel rebuilt the Second Temple in Jerusalem. The first exiles returned at the time of Persian king Cyrus.
- 445 BC: Nehemiah rebuilt the Jerusalem walls.
- 445–433 BC: Nehemiah served as governor of Judea.