Praying to a loving God (Nehemiah 1)

Nehemiah was a man of action and bravery. He was also a good organiser. But more of that in the next few weeks. Today we are going to look at Nehemiah as a person who prayed. 
​Nehemiah believed in God. He also believed that he was part of a big story. He believed in a God who was committed to his people and who had promised to love them no matter what. If God's people were in a mess then Nehemiah knew that it was worth praying for them, because he could call on God's consistent love.
​You can't tame this God as Nehemiah knew very well. But you can remind him of his promises. He has promised to love his people. He has promised to restore them when they turn to him. God is a covenant keeping God.
​Nehemiah wept because things were not going well. He prayed. He fasted. He mourned. This wasn't how he normally behaved.  He knew that God had invested in  these people. He was distressed to see the plan of God going off course.
So what about us? Well Nehemiah rebuilt a wall and we have started work on our Community Hall. There's a long way to go and a lot of faith needed. So let's pray today as Nehemiah did.
​But more importantly, let's pray as people who are part of a big story. Jesus loves his church. He is in a covenant of love with us. He has given his church the job of representing him in the world. We can't tame God but we are part of his great big plan. Let's love the church, let's love our church. 
​Nehemiah prayed for success. He asked for success because he was about God's business. And he had a plan which needed God's backing. What a great example.



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