In late autumn, in the month of Kislev, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’ reign,[a] I was at the fortress of Susa. 2 Hanani, one of my brothers, came to visit me with some other men who had just arrived from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had returned there from captivity and about how things were going in Jerusalem.
3 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.”
4 When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.
Within Nehemiah’s brief account, there are twelve prayers. Prayer bookends the story. One might (and should) determine prayer is important to the process.
I read once that there are many things you can accomplish after you pray, but there should be nothing you do until you pray.
Having that thought this week, as I prepared for the message, has impacted my thinking and my praying.
I wonder what it will do for you.
Pot of Manna 
makes one contemplate
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Thank you for sharing! I love the book of Nehemiah. Thanks for pointing out the book opens and closes in prayer.
Mary Kane http://www.onlybyprayer.com
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Thank you for the share and taking time to leave a comment. I have learned so much from studying Nehemiah, and this is the second church where I’ve done the series. I’ve decided to post my devotions that correspond with the messages here on my blog. Blessings.
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