Nehemiah’s prayer is not only a dimension of his political leadership; it is integral to his personal piety and practice. We look at leaders in Christ’s church and we see the urgency and necessity of prayer for them. Whatever sphere is in view, whether church, home, government, world, prayer is featured as the conduit for believers to the living God for the work only He can do. Prayer defines the man and directs the mission. 

Even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me. (Psalm 139:10, NKJV)

God’s Word features two prominent figures leading the return of the Jews to the Promised Land after the exile, Ezra and Nehemiah. Ezra was a priest who was concerned with the rebuilding of the temple. Nehemiah was in service to the king of Persia and was concerned with the rebuilding of the wall.

Upon arrival in Jerusalem at the permission and with the provision of Gentile rulers, whose hearts were made favorable by God, Ezra would concern himself with reestablishing the cultic practice related to temple worship. Nehemiah would focus on the well-being of the city, including the rebuilding of the wall for its protection.

Since Ezra was a priest, it is not surprising to see him involved in ministry of the word and prayer, the tools of a spiritual leader. Nehemiah, however, was a civil servant, a cupbearer to the king in Persia and governor (Neh. 5:14) in the land of Judah. Yet prayer features large in Nehemiah’s life.

Perhaps that, too, is expected. After all, Israel was a theocracy. We see David and Solomon, kings over Israel, being men of prayer. But Nehemiah’s prayer is not only a dimension of his political leadership; it is integral to his personal piety and practice.

We look at leaders in Christ’s church and we see the urgency and necessity of prayer for them.

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