Oct 9th Reading
Nehemiah 1–2 Psalm 133 & Luke 22 
Scripture Focus

“They said to me, ‘Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.’”
— Nehemiah 1:3 NLT

“When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven. Then I said, ‘O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps His covenant of unfailing love with those who love Him and obey His commands…’”
— Nehemiah 1:4-5 NLT

“…but I replied, ‘Long live the king! How can I not be sad? For the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.’”
— Nehemiah 2:3 NLT

“And the king granted these requests, because the gracious hand of God was on me.”
— Nehemiah 2:8 NLT

Reflection
Nehemiah’s story begins in the 20th year of King Artaxerxes I—about 13 years after Ezra’s arrival in Jerusalem (445 BC).
He was a Jewish man serving as cupbearer to the Persian king in Susa (Shushan)—a trusted position that God had prepared for this very moment.
When Nehemiah heard the news that Jerusalem’s walls were still broken and its gates burned, his heart broke.
Before lifting a hand to rebuild, he lifted his heart to God in prayer:

• His prayer was immediate—he sat down and wept.
• It was repentant—confessing the sins of the people.
• It was worshipful and trusting—acknowledging the greatness of God and His covenant love.
• It was specific—asking for God’s favor with the king.

When the door finally opened before the king, Nehemiah, though afraid, spoke up boldly, asking for all that would be needed for the work.
The king granted his requests “because the gracious hand of God was on [him].”

Nehemiah’s heart didn’t break for himself but for God’s people and for the place where God’s name was honored.
His burden moved him to prayer and to action.

Today, God calls us to have the same heart for His church—the Body of Christ.
We’re no longer building stone walls; we’re called to build up people, the living temple of God.
Paul describes it in Ephesians 4:11–12, 16:

“[Christ] gave… apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, to equip His people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up… From Him the whole body… grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”

A local church thrives when its people pray, serve, and build together.
God often plants us in a church family so we can bring our prayers, our gifts, and our willing hearts to help strengthen and expand His kingdom.
Like Nehemiah, we are to be burdened for the needs of God’s people and ready to help rebuild and fortify His work.

Everything we do must start with prayer and end with praise to the Lord.

Lesson for Me

• When I hear about the struggles of a brother or sister in Christ, or see a need in my church, my first response must be prayer.
• Prayer aligns my heart with God’s and prepares me for faithful service.
• I can ask God not only to work but also to show me the part He wants me to play.
• A strong church is built as each part does its work in love (Eph 4:16), trusting the gracious hand of God.

Application Questions

1. When I hear about the struggles of others in my church family, does my heart break and move me to prayer as Nehemiah’s did?
2. In my prayers, do I ask God how He wants me to be part of the solution—to pray, serve, give, or encourage?
3. What needs do I see in my local church where I can help build up the ministry and expand God’s kingdom?
4. Do I begin with prayer, trust His gracious hand, and then step forward to serve—just as Nehemiah did?
5. Where can I already see the gracious hand of God at work in my church, and how can I join Him in that work?

Prayer 🙏

Lord, You are the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and shows unfailing love to those who love You and obey Your commands.
Teach me to pray first—to bring every burden to You with repentance, worship, and trust.
Give me a heart that breaks for what breaks Yours and the courage to act when You call.
Help me serve faithfully to build up the body of Christ, so that together we may strengthen Your church and advance Your kingdom.
May every victory end in 🙌 praise and glory to Your Name.
Amen.

📝 Journaling Invitation

Sit quietly before the Lord and ask:
“Whose burden are You calling me to share in prayer this week?”
“What part can I play in helping build up the church where You have planted me?”
Write down what He shows you and pray over it, asking for grace to obey.