You know, folks, when we open the book of Nehemiah, we find a man in a pretty good spot. He's the king's cupbearer, nice job, close to power, plenty of security. But then the news comes from Judah ~ the walls of Jerusalem are broken down, the gates burned with fire, the people in great distress and reproach (Nehemiah 1:3). It's heartbreaking. The city of God exposed, vulnerable.
Nehemiah didn't just hear it and shrug. No!, It hit him ~ He sat down and wept. For days he mourned. He fasted and prayed to the God of heaven (Nehemiah 1:4). He didn't run around stirring up excitement or complaining. He went to his knees.
He confessed the sins of his people and his own: "We have dealt very corruptly against You" (vs. 7). He reminded the Lord of His promises: "Remember, I pray, the word that You commanded Your servant Moses" (vs. 8). And he asked for favor, "O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant... and grant him mercy" (vs. 11).
Now watch what God does. He doesn't wait for some big program or dramatic move. He starts right there, in Nehemiah, on his knees. The Lord puts His own burden into that man's heart. A holy concern, a deep stirring for the broken walls, for the shame of His people, for restoration. That burden wasn't heavy in a crushing way; it was purposeful.
It gave Nehemiah direction ~ go rebuild. It gave him courage: face the king, face opposition. It gave him persistence: keep going till the wall was finished.
I've seen this over the years. The Lord often works that way. Bad news hits, trouble in the family, darkness in the nation, suffering among the lost, and it's not just something to get upset about. It's an invitation to pray.
When that burden comes, that grief for the broken, the widows, the orphans, it may well be the Spirit of God stirring His own compassion in you. He usually begins the work right there, on your knees, placing His burden in your heart so you'll intercede, then step out in faith and act.
I love watching the Jesus Revolution film, seeing the Jesus Movement, folks would come burdened by the hippies on the streets. They would pray, and God would move. Simple as that. No hype, just prayer and obedience.
I remember preaching from Nehemiah years ago, Nehemiah 1:5-11, on new beginnings. The deep prayer ~ confessing covenant failure, pleading for God to gather His people if they'd turn back, asking for commissioning because of position. Sometimes the "new beginning" doesn't look like we expect. A church plant might not take off the way planned. Family needs, caring for those with special challenges, become the daily work. But God is faithful. That burden teaches us dependence.
For a season, those heavy burdens may ease. You're faithful in the hidden places, visiting the afflicted right at home, that's pure religion, James 1:27: "to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world."
But the Lord knows how to stir again. Maybe it's news from Israel, the conflicts there, the lost souls in harm's way. Or Iran, where people suffer under darkness. Or Ukraine, widows and orphans from a war driven by greed, families broken.
Even small things matter, our church giving shoeboxes at Christmas, and a Ukrainian sister saying, "I remember getting one of those shoe box gifts." God uses these times to touch hearts.
So, what do we do? Don't just react to the headlines. Get on your knees. Weep if the Spirit leads. Fast if He calls.
Pray like Nehemiah: confess, claim the promises (Psalm 122:6, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem"), intercede for the hurting. Ask the Lord, "Is this Your burden for me? Cleanse it from my flesh, make it Yours." He'll clarify. He'll give peace. Then He'll lead to action, maybe prayer support, giving to ministries, sharing the Gospel, or just standing faithful day by day.
James 5:16 tells us, "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." Your knees can be where the real work begins, for your home, your fellowship, even touching nations.
The Lord hasn't changed. He still burdens His people His way, starts on our knees, and uses simple obedience to build what lasts.
May God give us sensitive hearts to His burdens, clear direction from His Word, and strength to follow through.
Always starting on our knees.
That's where the power is.
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