The false prophet Shemaiah encouraged the governor of Judah to protect himself from assassination by hiding in the temple sanctuary. But Nehemiah refused to compromise his deepest convictions. If he dishonored the Lord, he wasn’t doing God’s work.

Nehemiah and his people were rebuilding the broken city wall of Jerusalem. The work was half done. But the workers were exhausted (Neh. 4:10). How did they find the strength to finish—and in record time?

Mark 13:32-37 32 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. 34 It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house…

Nehemiah came to Jerusalem to rebuild the city’s damaged walls and gates. But Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem fiercely resisted the reconstruction project (Neh. 2:10, 19). Any church seeking revival must expect God’s enemies to employ the same tactics used against Nehemiah.

Before Nehemiah told the Jewish officials of his plans to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, he carefully inspected the damage (Neh. 2:9-16). His leadership is a good example for the church. It’s impossible to rebuild unless we see what’s broken.

Nehemiah prayed about the sad conditions in Jerusalem for four months. When King Artaxerxes noticed his cupbearer’s sadness and asked him about it, Nehemiah boldly revealed his plan for rebuilding the city’s broken wall (Neh. 2:1-8). Devotion to prayer naturally gives birth to planning.

Nehemiah was grieved to hear that God’s people in Jerusalem felt disgraced and vulnerable. The city walls were in ruins. Nehemiah wanted to do something about it. And so he prayed (Neh. 1:1-11). 5 prayers to pray during 2017 1. Pray without ceasing that the Elders will grow stronger 2. Pray without ceasing that the…