Nehemiah 1:6
Let thine eare now be attentiue, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest heare the prayer of thy seruant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy seruants, and confesse the sinnes of the children of Israel, which wee haue sinned against thee: both I, and my fathers house haue sinned. Nehemiah 1:6 (KJV)
Historical Background: The book of Nehemiah is set in the period after the Babylonian exile. Nehemiah, a Jewish exile, served as cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes. In Nehemiah 1 he received news that Jerusalem’s walls were broken down and its people were in distress.
Nehemiah’s Prayer: Confronted with this dire situation, Nehemiah turned to God in prayer. In verse 6 he acknowledges God’s ability to hear and see everything, and he prays day and night for the children of Israel, confessing their sins and taking responsibility for himself and his father’s house.
Attentiveness of God: Nehemiah asks God to incline His ear and open His eyes to his prayer, recognizing God’s sovereignty and the fact that God is attentive to the prayers of His servants.
Intercession and Confession: He intercedes on behalf of the children of Israel, humbly acknowledging their sins before God and also confessing his own family’s transgressions. This demonstrates his humility and identification with his people.
Prayer: Nehemiah’s example encourages believers to bring their concerns and burdens before God, praying continuously day and night, seeking divine guidance and intervention.
Confession: The passage teaches the importance of acknowledging sin before God. Confession leads to repentance, restoration, and forgiveness.
Intercession for Others: The text reminds us to lift up the needs of family, community, and nation, seeking God’s mercy and grace on behalf of others.
God’s Response: As the narrative proceeds, God answers Nehemiah’s prayer, opening doors for the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls. Nehemiah’s faithfulness and devotion have a significant impact on the restoration of the city and its people.
