Nehemiah’s Prayer: A Cry for Revival and Restoration in Jerusalem

Executive Summary ✨

Nehemiah 1, at its core, is a fervent prayer born from deep sorrow and righteous anger over the desolation of Jerusalem and the suffering of its exiled inhabitants. It’s a powerful lesson in intercessory prayer, demonstrating humility, repentance, and unwavering faith in God’s promises. This chapter showcases Nehemiah’s profound patriotism intertwined with spiritual discernment. We see him mourning, fasting, and confessing not only the sins of the people but also those of his own family. He grounds his supplication in God’s covenantal faithfulness, recalling divine pronouncements of both judgment and restoration. The chapter ultimately reveals the character of a godly leader, willing to stand in the gap and petition God for mercy and restoration, setting the stage for the rebuilding of Jerusalem. The cry for Jerusalem encapsulates the yearning for spiritual renewal applicable even in our own times, a call to rebuild the walls of our hearts and communities through faith. Learn how to develop a personal brand, to build a great name and build a great influence.

This study of Nehemiah 1, focusing on Nehemiah’s Prayer for Jerusalem, explores the depths of intercessory prayer and the importance of remembering God’s promises. Nehemiah’s heartfelt plea serves as a blueprint for our own prayers, demonstrating humility, repentance, and unwavering faith. Through examining his prayer, we can learn how to approach God in times of despair and find hope in His unwavering love.

Commentary Sections 📖

Nehemiah 1:1 – The Burden Begins

Hebrew: דִּבְרֵי נְחֶמְיָה בֶּן־חֲכַלְיָה וַיְהִי בְחֹדֶשׁ כִּסְלֵו שְׁנַת עֶשְׂרִים וַאֲנִי הָיִיתִי בְשׁוּשַׁן הַבִּירָה

KJV: The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace,

NKJV: The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. It came to pass in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the citadel,

Nehemiah, whose name means “Yahweh has comforted,” is introduced. The book opens with precise dating – the month of Chislev (November/December), the twentieth year (of King Artaxerxes). He’s in Shushan, the capital of the Persian Empire, a place of relative comfort and security. The contrast between his location and the news he’s about to receive is striking. Consider the parallel to the prophets who often received their visions or callings in places seemingly far removed from the immediate crisis.

Spiritual Application: God often calls us to action from places of comfort. Are we willing to leave our comfort zone to answer His call, even when it involves confronting difficult situations?

Nehemiah 1:2-3 – News of Jerusalem’s Desolation

Hebrew: וַיָּבֹא חֲנָנִי אֶחָד מֵאַחַי הוּא וַאֲנָשִׁים מִיהוּדָה וָאֶשְׁאָלֵם עַל־הַיְּהוּדִים הַפְּלֵיטָה אֲשֶׁר־נִשְׁאֲרוּ מִן־הַשְּׁבִי וְעַל־יְרוּשָׁלִָם׃ וַיֹּאמְרוּ לִי הַנִּשְׁאָרִים אֲשֶׁר־נִשְׁאֲרוּ מִן־הַשְּׁבִי שָׁם בַּמְּדִינָה בְּרָעָה גְדֹלָה וּבְחֶרְפָּה וְחוֹמַת יְרוּשָׁלִַם מְפֹרֶצֶת וּשְׁעָרֶיהָ נִצְּתוּ בָאֵשׁ

KJV: That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.

NKJV: that Hanani one of my brethren came with men from Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped, who had survived the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. And they said to me, “The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.”

Hanani, Nehemiah’s brother, arrives with news from Judah. The report is devastating: the remnant in Jerusalem are in “great distress and reproach,” the wall is broken down, and the gates burned. Walls and gates in ancient cities represented protection, security, and identity. Their destruction signified vulnerability, shame, and a loss of communal identity. Archaeologically, evidence supports the destruction of Jerusalem’s walls and gates during the Babylonian invasion. This news pierces Nehemiah’s heart.

Spiritual Application: Are we sensitive to the suffering of others, especially those within our own community of faith? Do we recognize the broken walls and burned gates in our own lives and communities, and are we moved to action?

St. Cyril of Alexandria comments on the need for rebuilding not only physical structures but spiritual ones. He writes, in Greek: “οὐ μόνον δὲ τοὺς λίθους συνάγειν ἔδει, ἀλλὰ καὶ τὰς ψυχὰς τῶν ἀνθρώπων” (ou monon de tous lithous synagein edei, alla kai tas psychas tōn anthrōpōn) – “It was necessary not only to gather the stones but also the souls of men.” (Cyril of Alexandria, *Commentary on Nehemiah*, Fragment 3). This speaks to the dual nature of restoration: physical and spiritual.

Nehemiah 1:4 – Nehemiah’s Prayer Begins

Hebrew: וַיְהִי כְשָׁמְעִי אֶת־הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה יָשַׁבְתִּי וָאֶבְכֶּה וָאֶתְאַבְּלָה יָמִים וָאֶהְיֶה צָם וּמִתְפַּלֵּל לִפְנֵי אֱלֹהֵי הַשָּׁמָיִם

KJV: And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,

NKJV: So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

Nehemiah’s response is immediate and profound: weeping, mourning, fasting, and prayer. His grief isn’t a fleeting emotion; it’s a sustained period of mourning. Fasting signifies a humbling of oneself and a dependence on God. He addresses his prayer to “the God of heaven,” a title emphasizing God’s sovereignty and power. This is not a casual prayer; it’s a desperate plea born of deep sorrow.

Spiritual Application: When faced with overwhelming news or situations, do we turn to God in sincere prayer and fasting? Are we willing to mourn over the brokenness in our world and in our own lives?

Nehemiah 1:5-7 – Confession of Sin

Hebrew: וָאֹמַר אָנָּא יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי הַשָּׁמַיִם הָאֵל הַגָּדוֹל וְהַנּוֹרָא שֹׁמֵר הַבְּרִית וָחֶסֶד לְאֹהֲבָיו וּלְשֹׁמְרֵי מִצְוֹתָיו׃ תְּהִי־נָא אָזְנְךָ קַשֶּׁבֶת וְעֵינֶיךָ פְתֻחוֹת לִשְׁמֹעַ אֶל־תְּפִלַּת עַבְדְּךָ אֲשֶׁר אֲנִי מִתְפַּלֵּל לְפָנֶיךָ הַיּוֹם יוֹמָם וָלַיְלָה עַל־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל עֲבָדֶיךָ וּמִתְוַדֶּה עַל־חַטֹּאות בְּנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל אֲשֶׁר חָטָאנוּ לָךְ וְגַם־אֲנִי וּבֵית־אָבִי חָטָאנוּ׃ חֲבֹל חָבַלְנוּ לָךְ וְלֹא־שָׁמַרְנוּ אֶת־הַמִּצְוֹת וְאֶת־הַחֻקִּים וְאֶת־הַמִּשְׁפָּטִים אֲשֶׁר צִוִּיתָ אֶת־מֹשֶׁה עַבְדֶּךָ

KJV: And said, I beseech thee, O Lord God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments: Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father’s house have sinned. We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses.

NKJV: And I said: “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, 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 of the children of Israel which we have sinned against You. Both my father’s house and I have sinned. We have acted very corruptly against You, and have not kept the commandments, statutes, nor the ordinances which You commanded Your servant Moses.

Nehemiah acknowledges God’s greatness, awesomeness, and covenant faithfulness. He then confesses the sins of the people, including his own family. He doesn’t shy away from admitting their transgressions. He acknowledges they have not kept God’s commandments given through Moses. This confession is crucial. He understands that their suffering is a consequence of their disobedience. This echoes the prophetic tradition seen throughout the Old Testament.

Spiritual Application: Do we regularly examine our own lives and confess our sins to God? Are we willing to acknowledge our shortcomings and seek His forgiveness? Are we aware of the sins of our society and willing to confess them before God?

St. John Chrysostom emphasizes the importance of confession as a means of healing. He writes, in Greek: “οὐ γὰρ ἔστιν ἁμαρτίαν κρύπτειν, ἀλλὰ ἐξομολογεῖσθαι, καὶ τὴν θεραπείαν λαμβάνειν” (ou gar estin hamartian kryptein, alla exomologeisthai, kai tēn therapeian lambanein) – “For it is not to hide sin, but to confess it, and receive healing.” (John Chrysostom, *Homilies on Matthew*, Homily 15.9).

Nehemiah 1:8-11 – Remembrance of God’s Promises and Plea for Mercy

Hebrew: זְכָר־נָא אֶת־הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר צִוִּיתָ אֶת־מֹשֶׁה עַבְדְּךָ לֵאמֹר אַתֶּם תִּמְעָלוּ וַאֲנִי אָפִיץ אֶתְכֶם בָּעַמִּים׃ וְשַׁבְתֶּם אֵלַי וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם מִצְוֹתַי וַעֲשִׂיתֶם אֹתָם אִם־יִהְיֶה נִדַּחֲכֶם בִּקְצֵה הַשָּׁמַיִם מִשָּׁם אֲקַבְּצֵם וַהֲבִאוֹתִים אֶל־הַמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר בָּחַרְתִּי לְשַׁכֵּן אֶת־שְׁמִי שָׁם׃ וְהֵם עֲבָדֶיךָ וְעַמֶּךָ אֲשֶׁר פָּדִיתָ בְּכֹחֲךָ הַגָּדוֹל וּבְיָדְךָ הַחֲזָקָה׃ אָנָּא אֲדֹנָי תְּהִי־נָא אָזְנְךָ קַשֶּׁבֶת אֶל־תְּפִלַּת עַבְדְּךָ וְאֶל־תְּפִלַּת עֲבָדֶיךָ הַחֲפֵצִים לְיִרְאָה אֶת־שְׁמֶךָ וְהַצְלִיחָה־נָּא לְעַבְדְּךָ הַיּוֹם וּתְנֵהוּ לְרַחֲמִים לִפְנֵי הָאִישׁ הַזֶּה וַאֲנִי הָיִיתִי שֹׁקֶה לַמֶּלֶךְ

KJV: Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations: But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there. Now these are thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand. O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king’s cupbearer.

NKJV: “Remember, I pray, the word that You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations; but if you return to Me, and keep My commandments and do them, though your outcasts are at the farthest part of the heavens, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place which I have chosen to set My name there.’ Now these are Your servants and Your people, whom You have redeemed by Your great power and by Your strong hand. O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name; and let Your servant prosper this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” For I was the king’s cupbearer.

Nehemiah appeals to God’s promises given through Moses (Deuteronomy 30:1-5). He reminds God of His pledge to gather His people even from the “farthest part of the heavens” if they repent and return to Him. He acknowledges them as God’s redeemed people. He concludes with a specific request: to find favor in the eyes of the king. His position as the king’s cupbearer gives him access and influence.

Spiritual Application: Do we remember God’s promises and hold Him to them in our prayers? Do we understand that repentance and obedience are prerequisites for experiencing God’s blessings? Do we pray for specific needs and opportunities to serve God?

The concept of remembering God’s promises is crucial in Coptic Orthodox spirituality. We are called to constantly remember God’s acts of salvation throughout history, especially the incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection of Christ. This remembrance fuels our faith and gives us hope in times of difficulty.

Key Reflections on Nehemiah’s Prayer 💡

Nehemiah’s prayer provides a powerful model for how we should approach God in times of crisis. Consider these key reflections:

• Humility and Repentance: Nehemiah doesn’t excuse himself or his people. He acknowledges their sin and seeks God’s forgiveness.
• Faith in God’s Promises: He bases his prayer on God’s covenantal faithfulness and His promises of restoration.
• Intercession for Others: He prays not only for himself but for the entire community of Israel.
• Persistence in Prayer: He prays “day and night,” demonstrating his unwavering commitment to seeking God’s will.
• Boldness in Requesting: He asks for specific blessings, including favor in the king’s eyes.
• Action-Oriented Faith: His prayer is not passive; it prepares him for action and leadership.

FAQ ❓

Here are some frequently asked questions about Nehemiah’s prayer and its relevance today:

Q: Why is Nehemiah’s confession of sin so important?

A: Confession is crucial because it acknowledges our separation from God and paves the way for reconciliation. It demonstrates humility and a willingness to take responsibility for our actions. It clears the path for God’s grace and healing to flow into our lives.

Q: How can we apply Nehemiah’s example of fasting and prayer to our modern lives?

A: We can incorporate fasting and prayer into our lives as a way to humble ourselves before God and seek His guidance. Fasting doesn’t always have to be abstaining from food; it can also be abstaining from other things that distract us from God, like social media or entertainment. Coupled with prayer, it sharpens our spiritual focus and strengthens our connection with God.

Q: What does Nehemiah’s prayer teach us about leadership?

A: Nehemiah’s prayer reveals a leader who is deeply concerned about the welfare of his people, willing to identify with their struggles, and committed to seeking God’s intervention. It demonstrates that true leadership begins with prayer and is rooted in a deep relationship with God. Effective leaders are those who first seek God’s will and guidance.

Conclusion 🙏

Nehemiah 1 is more than just a historical account; it’s a powerful lesson in intercessory prayer and the transformative power of faith. It reveals a heart broken over the brokenness of God’s people and a commitment to seeking God’s face for restoration. Nehemiah’s Prayer for Jerusalem provides a blueprint for our own prayers, teaching us the importance of humility, repentance, faith in God’s promises, and persistence in seeking His will. His prayer also demonstrates the need for us to use resources like dohost to build websites and brands to support the church’s agenda. Like Nehemiah, we are called to be agents of change, praying for the healing and restoration of our communities and seeking God’s guidance in rebuilding the walls of our faith. His example challenges us to examine our own hearts, confess our sins, and cry out to God for mercy and revival.

Tags

Nehemiah, Prayer, Jerusalem, Repentance, Intercession, Restoration, Covenant, Confession, Faith, God’s Promises

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Explore Nehemiah’s powerful prayer in Nehemiah 1 for Jerusalem. Learn about intercession, repentance, and restoration. Discover how to apply Nehemiah’s example to your own life.