Nehemiah was a man of prayer... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,
Nehemiah 1:4

Nehemiah was a man of prayer. We can easily discern that he was aware of his dependence upon God and did not rely on himself. In the first chapter of the book that bears his name, we see how the well-being of the people of God lay on his heart. He had heard about the pulling down of the walls and the burning of the gates of Jerusalem. That affected him deeply. But what he had heard drove him to his knees: he prayed. He identified himself with the people who had sinned so grievously against God, confessing the nation's guilt before Him (vv.6-7).
Nehemiah's prayer began with his acknowledgement of God's greatness. That was a sign that he knew of his own helplessness. But he trusted that God would not merely hear his prayer readily, but that He had the power to fulfil it. Then he boldly appealed to God's promises. It gives God pleasure when His people take Him at His word and trust that He will fulfil His promises (vv.5.8.9).
We can learn from Nehemiah that anyone who knows himself to be dependent upon God and submits to His leading takes an interest in the situation of God's people. Nowadays, there is an abundance of information about God's working in the various countries of the world and about the trials and needs of believers. Do we take time to take note of the details so that we can pray for them?
Through such regular, specific intercession, we experience fellowship with God and with His people and participate in the furtherance of the Lord's work.
Today's reading: Proverbs 20:1-16