It Started With a Prayer
The Jews in captivity Were distressed and restrained. The wall of Jerusalem Had fallen; nothing remained. Its gates had been burned with fire. All that I heard was abhorred. I wept and mourned many days, Fasted and prayed to the Lord, “I pray, Lord God of heaven, You are awesome; You are great. You who keep Your covenant With those who love You and wait. “To those who keep Your commands, May Your ears receive each vow. Your eyes be opened and see As I pray before You now. “Day and night for Your children I’ll pray and confess their sins. Both my father’s house and I Have sinned without and within. “We have broken Your commands, Acted badly against You, All You commanded Moses, So our punishment is due. “All the words You commanded, You spoke to Moses and said, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you instead. ‘But if you return to Me And My commandments you keep, I will gather everyone And bring them to Me like sheep. ‘I will bring them to the place Where I have chosen to live, A dwelling place for My name. My grace and mercy I’ll give.’ “These are Your chosen people, The servants whom You redeemed, Saved by Your strength and Your hand. Hear my prayer, O Lord, esteemed. “I pray this prayer to You, O Lord. We desire to fear Your name. May we prosper every day. Your mercy to us we claim.” The king observed my sadness For I was his cupbearer. I told him of my city, How it lay waste in terror. The king sent me to Judah That I may rebuild its wall. God heard my plea for His help. He hears every word I call. We rebuilt the walls and gates. Every person did his part. Their hands needed to be strong, And God’s law was on each heart. I dedicated the wall. We celebrated with joy, With thanksgiving and singing, Stringed instruments to employ. The book of Moses was read. We saw the need to be clean. I prayed to God for mercy, “Forgive every sin obscene. “Cleanse from everything pagan, Our offering on fire and wood. Remember me, O my God, For all that is right and good!” It all started with a prayer, God’s will and purpose to know. Perfect insight and vision Will guide down each path we go. Nehemiah
Nehemiah writes about rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem in 445 BC. When he hears that the wall of Jerusalem was broken down and the gates destroyed by fire he prays this prayer. Nehemiah travels there and uses his leadership to rally a citywide construction crew. Each family built a section of the wall directly in front of their house. Within a few weeks, the walls around Jerusalem were built and their enemies lost their confidence.
This week we have traveled to Captiva Island to rally a construction crew to rebuild our house, “Sea of Green.” Our enemy was Hurricane Ian. My prayer, “Lord God of heaven, You are awesome; You are great. You who keep Your covenant with those who love You and wait. I pray this prayer to You, O Lord. We desire to fear Your name. May we prosper every day. Your mercy to us we claim.” Waiting and trusting in God is the key to our faith. When you experience storms in your life, remember to start with a prayer.
