Nuggets of Nehemiah's Prayer

Nehemiah’s prayer is a great one to study. Nehemiah began by recognizing God’s holiness, he also identifies three important aspects in his prayer life.

He asked God to hear him.

He confessed his sin.

He asked for help.

Nehemiah prayed to God, “O LORD, please hear my prayer! Listen to the prayers of those of us who delight in honouring you. Please grant me success now as I go to ask the king for a great favor. Put it into his heart to be kind to me”. Nehemiah knew that if he was going to be successful, he would need God, so he prayed.

This was the first action that Nehemiah took after God gave him the vision. He prayed. Prayer is crucial to living out God’s vision. If you have a vision that hasn’t been prayed over, at great length, then you don’t have God’s vision. Prayer is essential to living out God’s vision for our lives.

Nehemiah prayed that God would use him to save the city. God accepted his prayer and softened the heart of Persian king Artaxerxes who not only permitted him to return but also gave him supplies for that and moreover made him Governor of that region. So, we see that in our Christian walk with God prayer is necessary in pulling down the plans of the enemy.

When you become concerned about something, pray about it. Ask God to show you his heart about the situation. Ask God to give you, spiritual eyes.

The Bible says that God’s thoughts are better than our thoughts, and his ways are better than our ways.

Nehemiah’s Prayer for Jerusalem

Then I said:

“Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments,

let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you.

We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.

“Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations,

but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’

“They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand.

Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.”

I was cupbearer to the king.

Lord let your ear be attentive to our prayers