May 17, 2026
Nehemiah's Prayer
- Matt Nickoson
Sermon Notes
Nehemiah 1:1 NIV
The words of Nehemiah son of Hakaliah: In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa,
Nehemiah 1:2 NIV
Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.
Nehemiah 1:3 NIV
They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”
Nehemiah 1:4 NIV
When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.
Can you say your grief for our nation has caused you to mourn and fast for days?
Nehemiah 1:5 NIV
Then I said: “Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments,”
Nehemiah 1:6 NIV
“let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you.”
Nehemiah understood that “he” is a part of “we”.
Nehemiah 1:7 NIV
“We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.”
Nehemiah 1:8-9 NIV
“Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’”
Nehemiah 1:10 NIV
“They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand.”
Nehemiah 1:11 NIV
“Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.” I was cupbearer to the king.
Nehemiah 2:1 NIV
In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before,
Nehemiah 2:2 NIV
so the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.”
I was very much afraid,
Nehemiah 2:2-3 NIV
so the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.” I was very much afraid, but I said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?”
Nehemiah 2:4-5a NIV
The king said to me, “What is it you want?” Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king …” -
Sometimes a short prayer is all you have… and that’s enough!
Nehemiah 4:4-5 NIV
Hear us, our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of the builders.
"I prayed for twenty years but received no answer until I prayed with my legs." - Frederick Douglass
Nehemiah 4:13 NIV
Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows.
Nehemiah 4:14 NIV
After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”
Ephesians 4:27 NIV
and do not give the devil a foothold. (Greek: topos).
Footholds become strongholds!
- Confess
- Claim
- Cancel
Nehemiah 4:15 NIV
When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to our own work.
Nehemiah 4:16-18 NIV
From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me.
Pray:
- Where has the enemy tore down walls?
- Where have you given the enemy of foothold?
- Where has the enemy developed a stronghold?