Nehemiah’s Prayer

Written by Suzanne Benner

Take today’s next step:  Ask Jesus to be the center of your life.

“O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, 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 Israel.”(Nehemiah 1:5-6a)

In these verses Nehemiah’s heart breaks over the state of his beloved people and homeland. In the first chapter of this book, we hear his heartfelt prayer; his words teach us about prayer.

In the verses above, Nehemiah acknowledges God’s greatness and asks for His help. Let’s listen to the rest of his prayer: “I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s house, 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.” (Nehemiah 1:6b-7)

After acknowledging God’s greatness, he confesses the sins of the people, including his own. Rather than pointing a finger at others, Nehemiah admits his personal responsibility in not living according to the Lord’s commands.

“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.’” (Nehemiah 1:8-9)

Nehemiah recalls the specific promise God made to the people of Israel. Then, he emphasizes God’s involvement with them: “They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand.” (Nehemiah 1:10; emphasis mine)

Last, he asks the Lord to answer, not because the Israelites deserve it, but because of God’s relationship with them and His character: “O 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.” (Nehemiah 1:11)

I want to pray like Nehemiah. I want to be one of God’s servants who delight in revering His name.

Heavenly Father, thank you for Nehemiah’s prayer. You are great and awesome and worthy to be praised! Help me to humble myself before You. May I focus on who You are, rather than on my own needs. Teach me to revere Your name. I ask these things in the holy and mighty name of Jesus, Amen.

Questions: What do you learn from Nehemiah’s prayer? What is the importance of focusing on God and His character in our prayer?

Suzanne Benner

Suzanne Benner lives with her husband in Calgary, Canada, where they raised their three children. She is passionate about studying, memorizing and writing about the Bible. She also writes for OneBook a mission organization dedicated to helping nationals develop their language and translate the Bible into their mother tongue. Her novel Birthmark will be available in June 2012.
 
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