Nemiah sets out to rebuild Jerusalem

Nehemiah Chapter 1

(Background: despite the fact the exiles have been in Jerusalem for many years, the walls of the city were not repaired, leaving the people defenseless. Nehemiah seeks permission from the Persian king to begin rebuilding the wall.)

In late autumn, Nehemiah was approached by men who had arrived from Judah. When he asked how things were going, they told him that the wall of Jerusalem had been torn down and the gates burned. Nehemiah wept when he heard this and he fasted and prayed to God. He asked God to look down and see him praying night and day for his people. He confessed that he and the people had sinned and not followed the commands of God.

Then he asked God to remember his servant Moses and how he had told Moses if the people sinned, he would scatter them, but if they returned to him and obeyed his commands, he would bring them back to the place he chose.

Nehemiah was at that time a cup cup-bearer for the king and he intended to ask the king for a favor. He prayed that God would put kindness in the king's heart toward Nehemiah.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: Nehemiah could see the Israelites lacked leadership, there was nobody there to show them where to start in rebuilding their city. So he began a back-to-the-basics plan by first setting up a fair system of government and rebuilding. He was in a unique position to speak to the king.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? Nehemiah used his position to intercede for his people. Can you use your position to serve God? Nehemiah also did not use his success for personal advantage or acclaim. He requested success for God's work. In this time, don't hesitate to ask for success. Heartfelt prayers like those of Nehemiah can help you clarify your problems, and also clarify God's great power and the job you have to do. Prayer can help things fall into proper perspective for you. Try it at every opportunity that comes up!

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH:
Update on my niece Suzanne, she is healing but her leg was crushed and will take many months of doctoring. She is in a nursing home for rehab care. Pray for her healing. Also Gabe, Wanda, Pray for Janice Long’s parents, especially her mother whose cancer has returned and her father with Alzheimer’s and now her mother in law also with Alzheimer’s. Their family is feeling the strain both emotionally and financially. Pray for them. Update on this family: Her mother in law Mary just had a stroke this week. They are being tested by God and need a wealth of prayers. Pray for them now! Pray that they can find a place for Mary that won’t bankrupt the family.
And pray for Arlene’s nephew David and for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer.
Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS.
Pray for Cyndi Sullivan who was given 14 months to live with cancer, but has made it six years. The pain has returned and she needs our prayers.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has her speech back and is home , but continues to have a problem with one arm and hand. Thanks to your prayers, she is able to hobble without a cane and has been granted disability. She still has surgery scheduled on her hand, but I saw her recently and her attitude is fantastic.
Update on Marthaline Sargent. She lost her battle with health problems and passed away last Tuesday. Our condolences to her son Patrick and daughter Stacey. Continue to pray for her husband Robert Sargent who is quite ill with lung cancer.
Pray for Judy’s husband who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Pray for her too, that she can deal with the side effects of his illness.
Pray too for Charly’s husband Robert who will soon undergo chemo for his prostate cancer.
Pray for John’s recovery from a heart attack and pray he can stop smoking.
Pray for Debbie who lost her home in a fire last week.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake, survivors of the devastating tornadoes in our southernmost states and Joplin, Missouri. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.