The Power Of Prayer

During the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar, the Jewish people did not have God's protection, because of their wickedness and disobedience to His laws. Therefore, the Babylonians, under the leadership of Nebuchadnezzar, were able to destroy the walls surrounding Jerusalem, which left the Jews vulnerable to other surrounding enemies. As a result, Jerusalem lay for many years in ruins and destruction, and most of the Jewish people were scattered abroad, leaving only a small remnant behind.

But one hundred and forty years later, Nehemiah, a Jew and the cupbearer of King Artaxerxes, went to God in prayer with a burdensome heart to see the walls of Jerusalem rebuilt and the Jewish people gathered there once again. The problem was that King Artaxerxes had previously stopped the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. Hence a miracle of God was needed to change the King's heart. This was Nehemiah's prayer.

"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,

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.

We have acted very wickedly toward You.

We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws

You gave Your servant Moses.

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.'

They are Your servants and Your people,

whom You redeemed by Your great strength

and Your mighty hand.

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

favour in the presence of this man."

Nehemiah 1:5-6 (NIV)

Nehemiah begins his prayer with praise to God, followed by repentance, then a reminder to God of His promises, and finishing with his earnest request. God heard the respect and sincerity of Nehemiah's prayer and He performed a miracle. King Artaxerxes gave Nehemiah his permission and authority to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem without any argument. That is the power of prayer!