7 Leadership Lessons We Can Learn from Nehemiah’s Prayer in Chapter 1

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Key Text: Neh 1:4 When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.

As we dive into the first chapter of Nehemiah, we get a glimpse of who he is as a person and a leader. Through his prayer and actions, we can learn valuable lessons that can be applied to our lives today.

1. Acknowledge God first in all that we do — Nehemiah shows us the importance of acknowledging God first and foremost in any situation. In Nehemiah 1:5, he says, “LORD God of Heaven! You are great, and we stand in fear of you. You faithfully keep your covenant with those who love you and do what you command.” When we put God first in our lives, we are acknowledging that He is in control and that we trust Him.
2. Total surrender to God in any situation we may come across — Nehemiah surrenders himself completely to God in his prayer. In Nehemiah 1:6, he says, “Look at me, LORD, and hear my prayer, as I pray day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess that we, the people of Israel, have sinned. My ancestors and I have sinned.” He recognizes that he and his people have sinned and surrenders himself to God’s will.
3. Prayer and fasting important duties before executing any action — Nehemiah’s prayer is not just a quick recitation of words. He mourns, fasts, and prays for several days before taking any action. Nehemiah 1:4, says, “When I heard all this, I sat down and wept. For several days I mourned and did not eat. I prayed to God.” Before we make any decisions or take any action, it’s important to seek God’s guidance through prayer and fasting.
4. Confession of sin — Nehemiah confesses his sin and the sin of his people in his prayer. In Nehemiah 1:7, he says, “We have acted wickedly against you and have not done what you commanded. We have not kept the laws which you gave us through Moses, your servant.” Confession of sin is essential for repentance and seeking God’s forgiveness.
5. Reminding God of His promises — Nehemiah reminds God of His promises to His people in his prayer. In Nehemiah 1:8–9, he says, “Remember now what you told Moses: ‘If you people of Israel are unfaithful to me, I will scatter you among the other nations. But then if you turn back to me and do what I have commanded you, I will bring you back to the place where I have chosen to be worshipped, even though you are scattered to the ends of the earth.’” We can also remind God of His promises to us in prayer.
6. Intercessory prayer — Nehemiah not only prays for himself but also for his people. In Nehemiah 1:10, he says, “Lord, these are your servants, your own people. You rescued them by your great power and strength.” Intercessory prayer is when we pray for others, and it’s an essential part of our prayer life.
7. Asking for God’s favour — Nehemiah asks for God’s favour in his prayer. In Nehemiah 1:11, he says, “Listen now to my prayer and to the prayers of all your other servants who want to honour you. Give me success today and make the emperor merciful to me.” When we ask for God’s favour, we acknowledge that we cannot do things on our own and need His help.

In conclusion, the first chapter of Nehemiah provides valuable lessons that can guide us in our daily lives. From acknowledging God first to seeking His guidance through prayer and fasting, we learn that surrendering ourselves to God’s will is essential in any situation. Confession of sin, reminding God of His promises, intercessory prayer, and asking for God’s favour are also critical elements of our prayer life. Nehemiah’s leadership and devotion to God serve as an inspiration for us to trust in God’s plan and seek His guidance in all that we do.