The news was disheartening. Nehemiah came back to Jerusalem to a small remnant of Jews who had survived the exile. The walls of the city had been broken down and fire had destroyed its gates. There was a job to be done. But progress was slow because the people were feeble and the enemies were many.

And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.

Nehemiah 4:9

Even under these circumstances, they did not quit. Understand the way they prioritized their task: they prayed, they set a guard and they worked. As one commentary described it, “When…any man of God discovers that God’s work and his work are one and the same thing, the aspect of affairs is changed. The contest is then spiritual. The forces arrayed are light and darkness, truth and error, and God and the devil…Prayer first, then work, in the assurance that the prayer will be answered and the work successful.” Nehemiah and the remnant succeeded.

Let it be the same for you. Study God’s Word to know Him better. Learn what He desires for you and others. Pray first and then work with confidence to accomplish your task. In like manner, may the leaders of this nation seek the Lord and do His will.

Recommended Reading: Nehemiah 4:7-14