Nehemiah offers a great study on the power of prayer and how God can use vision to accomplish His will.  If you consider the entire book of Nehemiah you know that Nehemiah was burdened with the walls of Jerusalem being rebuilt.  His burden turned to prayer and later turned to actions.  I wanted to break down the first part of his prayer that we find in Chapter 1.  I have been studying this book as I believe God is leading me to prepare me and my family to set forth towards a vision so great that no human could ever accomplish it apart from God.

Let’s look at the following verses from Nehemiah 1:5-6

[Nehemiah 1:4 NKJV] 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.

[Nehemiah 1:5 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,

[Nehemiah 1:6 NKJV] “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.

After Nehemiah learns of the condition of the wall surrounding Jerusalem he doe not tell others about it so that they can take care of it nor does he complain.  He notices a problem and he immediately goes to prayer and fasting (Vs.4- 5).

We can note a few things in the verse’s above.

1. When Nehemiah notice a problem he didn’t respond emotionally.  He responded physically and spiritually through fasting and prayer.  Vs. 4-5
2. Nehemiah recognizes the greatness of God first and foremost. Vs. 5
3. He speaks to God of His divine promises. Vs. 5
4. He asks for God’s ear and for His eyes to be open to the prayer that has begun. Vs. 6
5. He prays on behalf of himself and others.  He doesn’t pray for the bad behavior of others.  He lumps himself in equally with the prayer. Vs. 6
6. He comes clean before God through confession. Vs. 6

What does this say to me about prayer and spiritual leadership?  Here are some observations from my perspective.

• Spiritual Leaders must have a burden for something that they (apart from God) cannot take care of.
• Spiritual Leaders must be moved to action.
• Spiritual Leaders must have vision big enough that prayer is required.
• Prayer requires that we recall that God is enthroned above and in control and that we are to submit to His will. Our humility will demonstrate our reliance upon God.
• If prayer is not required for the vision that God has given you, it’s either not the right vision or too small.
• Prayer will renew our strength (Isaiah 40:31).
• When we pray we should pray with a heart that ready to do something about it.

For me, this brief study has made me take a hard look at what God is calling us to do.  Is the vision that God is birthing in my heart big enough that it will require me to depend upon Him to accomplish it?  And I actively praying with a heart to do something about it?  This study reminds me that no matter where you or I are at that everything requires prayer.  From the steps of faith to the day to day problems we face.  As spiritual leaders we are called to have a burden of a spiritual nature.   We are called to begin to pray that God may move us to action.  We are called to have big vision.

My questions for you and I are, what is your burden?, has God called you to prayer so that you can act?, is your vision big enough to remove your significance and depend 100% upon the Lord?  I believe after I wrestle with this that the my prayers to God can be life changing.  My prayers can leave a testimony for my family.  Our obedience could inspire others to take a step towards knowing Jesus or better yet alter the life of people who are close to us but far from God.  What would happen if bunch of us did this? Think of the revival that could begin in our communities and schools.