All Nations Community Church · Leeds
Bring the needs you care about to God before you make a plan.
Nehemiah’s concern for Jerusalem leads him to grief, prayer and purposeful work. His example directs vision towards people who need help, rather than towards personal recognition. The rebuilding account also shows dependence on God amid opposition. Bring your concern into prayer, then consider what responsible action would serve the people at the heart of it.
Read and reflect on Scripture
Read slowly and consider each passage in its biblical setting. The full Bible passages are included here to help you stay with the guide.
Nehemiah 1:1–4
World English Bible British Edition
1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the palace,
2 Hanani, one of my brothers, came, he and certain men out of Judah; and I asked them about the Jews who had escaped, who were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.
3 They said to me, “The remnant who are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burnt with fire.”
4 When I heard these words, I sat down and wept, and mourned several days; and I fasted and prayed before the God of heaven,
Nehemiah 2:1–4
World English Bible British Edition
1 In the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, when wine was before him, I picked up the wine, and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad before in his presence.
2 The king said to me, “Why is your face sad, since you are not sick? This is nothing else but sorrow of heart.” Then I was very much afraid.
3 I said to the king, “Let the king live forever! Why shouldn’t my face be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ tombs, lies waste, and its gates have been consumed with fire?”
4 Then the king said to me, “What is your request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven.
Nehemiah 2:17–18
World English Bible British Edition
17 Then I said to them, “You see the bad situation that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burnt with fire. Come, let’s build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we won’t be disgraced.”
18 I told them about the hand of my God which was good on me, and also about the king’s words that he had spoken to me. They said, “Let’s rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work.
Nehemiah 6:15–16
World English Bible British Edition
15 So the wall was finished in the twenty-fifth day of Elul, in fifty-two days.
16 When all our enemies heard of it, all the nations that were around us were afraid, and they lost their confidence; for they perceived that this work was done by our God.
The fifty-two days belong to this particular rebuilding account. They are not a timetable for every project or answer to prayer.
Give a prayerful concern a useful first step
Consider a need in your family, workplace, church or neighbourhood. Speak with the people affected before deciding what help they need. Write a short proposal naming the need, the people to involve, the resources required and one achievable beginning. Prayer and careful planning can support each other. A project may need skills you do not yet have or partnerships that take time to develop. Invite correction and review whether your commitments remain realistic. Serving Leeds could begin with a shared meal, mentoring, welcoming a new arrival or improving an existing activity, rather than launching something large immediately.
Four prayer starters
Use these prayers as a starting point, then add words of your own.
Perception
What am I noticing?
God, help me notice a real need and listen to the people whose lives it affects.
Process
How am I understanding it?
Father, examine my motives and help me plan with humility, accurate information and wise counsel.
Purpose
What matters before God?
Jesus, make useful service more important to me than recognition, and keep my concern rooted in love.
Path
What is my next faithful step?
Lord, guide one realistic beginning and teach me when to continue, learn, share responsibility or change course. Amen.
Put it into practice today
- Write the need in one sentence, including the people affected.
- Listen to someone with direct experience of that need and record what you learn.
- Name the time, resources, skills and permissions a first step would require.
- Pray with a trusted person and invite them to question your motives or assumptions.
- Choose a small pilot action and a review date, remaining willing to adjust the plan.
Questions for reflection or a small group
- Whose need is this vision intended to serve?
- Have I listened to those people before designing an answer?
- What skill, permission or partnership is needed for a responsible beginning?
Discuss the Bible and the questions at your own pace. Sharing personal experiences is optional.
Continue with related ANCC guides
We can pray with you
You can ask for prayer or speak with someone about faith and the questions you are carrying.