After God’s people were exiled from the Promised Land to Canaan, God raised up Nehemiah as a  great leader to re-establish them in their land. Nehemiah’s great leadership began in prayer. We  may not feel like leaders, but all of us can be used by God wherever we are. The key to God’s work in and through us is dedicating ourselves to Him in prayer. Nehemiah’s prayers teach us the  importance of combining prayer with action in response to the world’s brokenness.  

Put It into Practice: During your prayer time, be open to how God might be preparing you to  contribute to the solution to your request. Ask for wisdom and clarity on what steps to take. 

Day 1      Nehemiah 1:1-11 

Reflect: What emotions does Nehemiah express, and how do they lead him to prayer? Describe the  three parts of his prayer. What is Nehemiah asking for, generally and specifically, in his prayer? 

Apply:   What do you learn from Nehemiah’s approach to prayer? How often do you incorporate  confession in your prayers? What is breaking your heart, and how can you bring this before God?

Pray:    Lord, I confess that I have sinned against You, putting my desires first. Forgive me and fill me  with Your Holy Spirit that I might turn back and live according to Your ways. 

 

Day 2      Nehemiah 2:1-8  

Reflect: Four months have passed since Nehemiah prayed. What does that tell you about his  dedication to prayer? What does God do in relation to his prayers? How is he a part of the answer? 

Apply:   What does this passage teach us about our role in God’s plans? Think of a situation where  you need to take bold action. How can you prepare through prayer? 

Pray:      Lord, may prayer be my first response instead of my last resort. In Christ, I approach Your  throne with grace and confidence and lean into Your purposes. 

 

Day 3      Daniel 9:1-19 

Reflect: What attributes of God does Daniel emphasize? Why is it important to acknowledge these  attributes in our prayers? What similarities do you see in Daniel’s and Nehemiah’s prayers?

Apply: How do Daniel’s and Nehemiah’s prayers reflect their trust in God’s faithfulness to His  promises? How can you apply this trust in your prayers? How does Scripture prompt your prayers?

Pray:    God of Truth, every promise You have made is fulfilled in Christ. May my faith and actions  echo a resounding “Amen” to Your will, that my life would glorify Your name. 

 

Day 4      James 2:12-20 

Reflect: How would you define the relationship between faith and works according to this passage? How does the example in verses 15-16 challenge us to examine the authenticity of our faith?

Apply: How can you daily ensure your faith is active and alive? Would you say that you pray all day  long? How could doing this consistently impact your faith and actions to be like Nehemiah?

Pray:    Lord, strengthen my prayer life for bolder faith and power to carry out Your purposes. 

 

Day 5     Psalm 37:1-7 

Reflect: What do you learn about God from this psalm? How are we to be in relationship with Him? Based on this text, what does dedication to God look like? How does prayer play a role?

Apply: Which acts from this psalm do you need to pursue more: trust in the Lord; take delight in the  Lord; commit your ways to the Lord; be still before the Lord? Include each of these in your prayers.

Pray:   Father, may the desires of my heart unite with Your perfect will and eternal purposes, for Your  everlasting praise and glory.