It came to pass in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan he citadel, 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. 3 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.” (Nehemiah 1:1-3)
Seeking Soul, Nehemiah was a man living in the diaspora, an immigrant like many of us scattered around the world, away from our native homes. But he never allowed the sophistication or challenges of his diasporic state to hinder his capacity to cause influence in his native country. Today, God has impressed upon my heart the desire to learn prayer as a missional strategy.
In a season after captivity where the children of Israel almost lost their identity during 70 years in captivity, God calls Ezra, whose name means Helper, to help his people regroup. In a season of great injustice, enslaved by their own, about ten years after Ezra, God mobilized Nehemiah, burdened by the plight of his people, to show comfort to a hopeless people. Nehemiah lived; his Hebrew Name means that (JEHOVAH IS THE COMFORTER, CONSOLES). He allowed God to use him as he had equipped him.
In prayer, Seeking Soul, God is calling you away from your place of comfort; God has identified you as a strategic partner to help and comfort his people. Unlike the usual prophet that God calls, Nehemiah is a professional, successful in his career and working with royalty. He had cut a niche for himself. But as a selfless leader, Nehemiah refused to be entrapped by royalty and responded to God’s urging. Dear Seeking Soul, I invite you to engage with Nehemiah and grasp some principles I believe will shake us from our places of comfort to the mission field, “Beyond the Borders.”
- Prayer Enlightens: Nehemiah sought eagerly for report 1:1-3
Nehemiah seeks to establish the facts about his hometown. He receives a report through “Hanani, one of my brethren came with men from Judah.” He was aware of the state of affairs of his nation. The facts were clear, “Bothered People, Broken Walls and Burned Gates.” In fact, even after being told that the gates are burned and the walls are down, he still requests to travel to go get the facts straight.
Seeking Soul, Nehemiah inquired for the report. It is essential to know the facts to understand how to engage the field. …and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free. (John 8:32). Knowledge of truth is power for freedom. Dear Soul, what do you see and what has come to your attention that you can pray about?
2. Prayer Empathizes: Burdened Deeply for the captives 1:4
4 So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven. Having known the facts; Nehemiah was burdened by them. Dear Soul, we live in a period of God for us all but everybody for himself. You struggle alone, you cry alone… People see, people hear but we fail to engage on each others needs.
The church elder James reminds us that …If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. Brother James, gives us an example on how to carry each other’s burdens. What burden is God placing in your heart? (James 2:15)
3. Prayer Envisions: Prayed earnestly for redemption 1:5-11
Dear Soul, we can learn from Nehemiah while most of us get sick through the burdens we bear, like ulcers, high blood pressure, anxiety sicknesses, lack of sleep, and many others. Most of this chapter is Nehemiah pouring back the burdens to God in prayer. We must shift and know who can settle the scores and who is the burden lifter. Instead of Bearing the pain alone and being frustrated, Nehemiah goes down on his knees; some call him (Knee He Miah) the man on his knees.
Seeking Soul, today Jesus’ invitation is to all; “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30). The secret is to turn our burdens to prayer needs; that’s what Nehemiah did. Look, Soul, at how rich Nehemiah’s Prayer is:
- In v/s 5 Nehemiah, Worshiped God,
- v/s 6 Conducted Repentance for self and community
- v/s 7 Admission of Guilt against the stipulated law of God
- v/s 8,9 Recalled the promises of God and the consequences of rebellion.
- v/s 10 Established the relationship between God and his people.
- v/s 11 Presented his specific need before God: “Grant Mercy before the King.”
Before approaching the King, Nehemiah prayed. After being asked by the KING the reason for his sadness, he prayed. (2:4). Authentic prayer acknowledges The place of God, The State of the seeker, The word, The promises of God, and the seeker’s need.
4. Prayer Empowers: Called clearly away from comfort 1:11b
Nehemiah does not respond to missions because he has nothing to do. Due to his humble nature, he introduces his work at the end of verse 11: “For I was the king’s cupbearer.” God does not call idle people; he engages the engaged. Jesus’ Words are meaningful. “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow me.
Those called must demonstrate some level of loyalty. Luke 9:23 You must deny…. God calls us from a position of Surrender, like Isaiah, hear I am, send me… Nehemiah says I was a cupbearer (This was a guy entrusted with the King’s life; he served royalty and drank with royalty. But none of this kept him away from fulfilling God’s purpose for his Life. He took advantage of his position to serve God’s purpose.
Some of us constantly need this reminder that Mordecai tells Esther 4:13,14. When Esther Hesitates, thinking of her life at stake… And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” this leads Esther to declare a (3 day Fast)
Seeking Soul, prayer gives boldness to attempt the impossible.
5. Prayer Equips: Equipped Sufficiently for the task 2:5-8
Nehemiah took his position of royalty to seek support for the mission ahead.
- 2:5 Permission to take Sabbatical leave for construction project
- 2:7 Safe Passage Travelling Permits (Visa Free Entry)
- 2:8 Logging Permit for materials for the gates, temple, walling, and his house
Dear Soul, Your positioning is not by chance but a divine appointment to fulfill God’s purpose. Whether you serve in the royalty or you are a house caretaker, Nurse Practitioner, Security, Military, Caregiver, trucker, teacher, business person… God has positioned you strategically. The resources we need for missions is not with others, It is here. Your gift is not small if given from your whole heart. The Bible says ….we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching. he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:5-8)
Prayer will harness the Talents, Treasures, and Time resources needed to accomplish God’s purposes.