The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer.

Psalm 6:9

In the first chapter of Nehemiah, we see that faith was a key component of Nehemiah’s prayer; he did not doubt that God would be faithful to His promises. Nehemiah knew of the unfaithfulness of the Israelites to God, but he also knew of God’s faithfulness to them throughout the years. He reminds the Lord of His promise to return the exiles to Jerusalem so that He could have a dwelling place. Jesus commended people for their faith, indicating that their faith had been a catalyst for God’s response. Nehemiah knew that God was consistent, faithful, and trustworthy, and so he placed his faith in God, not in the circumstances at hand. It is so easy for us to look at the circumstances that we are praying about instead of being like Nehemiah and looking to God and His faithfulness to hear and answer our prayer.

Nehemiah looked to God for the solution to the problems in Jerusalem.

He had compassion on the people in Jerusalem who were in trouble and disgrace, living in a city with broken-down walls. Yet rather than seeking his own solutions, he sought the Lord and was certain that God would provide them with a solution.

We, like the city of Jerusalem, have “broken-down” walls in our lives; broken relationships, financial stress, and an inability to receive God’s love. It is tempting to try to find our own solutions. The Lord is looking to raise up a people who will turn to God in prayer and trust that God will be faithful to His promises.

Heavenly Father,

I release my broken-down places to You. I ask for Your wisdom and direction in the mending of broken walls. You alone are faithful and able to help me to find solutions to my struggles. Forgive me where I have tried to take care of things myself rather than turning to You.

In Jesus’ name, Amen