Nehemiah 1

In this chapter, Nehemiah reminds God of His words to Moses, as he asks the Lord to hear his prayer. Like Ezra, Nehemiah is speaking in first person. Here’s the chapter in its entirety:

“These are the memoirs of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah.

Nehemiah’s Concern for Jerusalem

In late autumn of the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’ reign, I was at the fortress of Susa. Hanani, one of my brothers, came to visit me with some other men who had just arrived from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had survived the captivity and about how things were going in Jerusalem. They said to me, “Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been burned.”

When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven. Then I said, “O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands, listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for your people Israel. I confess that we have sinned against you. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned.! We have sinned terribly by not obeying the commands, laws, and regulations that you gave us through your servant Moses.

“Please remember what you told your servant Moses: ‘If you sin, I will scatter you among the nations. But if you return to me and obey my commands, even if you are exiled to the ends of the earth, I will bring you back to the place I have chosen for my name to be honored.’ (Wow…Nehemiah is holding God accountable.)

“We are your servants, the people you rescued by your great power and might. O Lord, please hear my prayer! Listen to the prayers of those of us who delight in honoring 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.” (Nice! Nehemiah recognizes that God is in full control. Also, notice how Nehemiah didn’t request anything from God until he first praised the Lord and then confessed his sins. Lord, help us use this format in our own prayers.)

In those days I was the king’s cup-bearer.” (Nehemiah 1)

Lord, thank you for your Word today! Help us follow Nehemiah’s format of prayer… praise, confession of sin, and then your request. We love you!

May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)

….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.