Nehemiah 1:6

let Your eyes be open and Your ears attentive to hear the prayer that I, Your servant, now pray before You day and night for Your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins that we Israelites have committed against You. Both I and my father's house have sinned.

Study Bible

let Your eyes be open and Your ears attentive
This phrase reflects a common biblical motif where God is anthropomorphized to emphasize His awareness and responsiveness to human prayers. It echoes Solomon's prayer in 2 Chronicles 6:40, where he asks God to be attentive to the prayers made in the temple. This request for divine attention underscores the belief in a personal God who is actively involved in the lives of His people.

to hear the prayer that I, Your servant, now pray before You
Nehemiah identifies himself as God's servant, a term that denotes humility and submission to God's will. This aligns with the biblical tradition of leaders like Moses and David, who also referred to themselves as servants of God. The act of prayer is central to Nehemiah's leadership, demonstrating reliance on divine guidance rather than solely on human wisdom.

day and night
The phrase "day and night" indicates the fervency and persistence of Nehemiah's prayer. It reflects the biblical principle of continual prayer found in passages like 1 Thessalonians 5:17, which encourages believers to "pray without ceasing." This persistent prayer life is a model for believers, emphasizing the importance of constant communication with God.

for Your servants, the Israelites
Nehemiah's intercession for the Israelites highlights his role as a mediator, similar to figures like Moses and Daniel, who also prayed on behalf of their people. This communal aspect of prayer reflects the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where the fate of the nation is intertwined with the faithfulness of its leaders and people.

I confess the sins that we Israelites have committed against You
Confession is a critical component of Nehemiah's prayer, acknowledging the collective sin of the nation. This mirrors the confessions found in Daniel 9 and Ezra 9, where leaders confess the sins of the people as a step toward restoration. It underscores the biblical theme of repentance as a prerequisite for divine forgiveness and blessing.

Both I and my father’s house have sinned
Nehemiah includes himself and his family in the confession, demonstrating personal accountability and humility. This personal acknowledgment of sin is consistent with the biblical understanding that all have sinned (Romans 3:23) and need God's grace. It also reflects the communal nature of sin in the Old Testament, where the actions of individuals and families impact the entire community.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Nehemiah
A Jewish cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes, Nehemiah is the central figure in this book. He is a man of prayer and action, deeply concerned about the welfare of Jerusalem and the spiritual state of his people.

2. The Israelites
The people of God, who have returned from exile in Babylon. They are struggling to rebuild Jerusalem and restore their identity as God's chosen people.

3. Jerusalem
The holy city of the Jews, which lies in ruins at the time of Nehemiah's prayer. It symbolizes the spiritual and physical state of the Israelites.

4. Artaxerxes
The Persian king whom Nehemiah serves. His favor is crucial for Nehemiah's mission to rebuild Jerusalem.

5. The Exile
The period when the Israelites were taken captive to Babylon. This historical context is essential for understanding the spiritual and physical challenges Nehemiah faces.

Teaching Points

The Power of Persistent Prayer
Nehemiah's commitment to praying "day and night" teaches us the importance of perseverance in prayer, especially when interceding for others.

Confession and Repentance
Nehemiah's acknowledgment of personal and communal sin highlights the necessity of confession in our relationship with God. True repentance involves recognizing our failures and seeking God's forgiveness.

Intercessory Prayer
Nehemiah stands in the gap for his people, demonstrating the role of intercessory prayer in seeking God's favor and intervention for others.

God's Attentiveness
The request for God's ear to be attentive and eyes open reassures us that God is always ready to listen to the prayers of His people.

Leadership and Responsibility
Nehemiah's prayer reflects his sense of responsibility as a leader. It challenges us to take initiative in addressing the spiritual and physical needs of our communities.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Nehemiah's approach to prayer in this verse challenge or inspire your own prayer life?

2. In what ways can you incorporate confession and repentance into your daily prayers, both personally and for your community?

3. How does Nehemiah's intercession for the Israelites encourage you to pray for others in your life?

4. What does Nehemiah's prayer teach us about the character of God and His willingness to listen to His people?

5. How can you take responsibility as a leader in your community or family to address both spiritual and practical needs, following Nehemiah's example?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Daniel 9
Daniel's prayer of confession and intercession for his people parallels Nehemiah's prayer, highlighting the importance of acknowledging collective sin and seeking God's mercy.

2 Chronicles 7:14
This verse emphasizes the power of humble prayer and repentance, promising that God will hear from heaven and heal the land, which aligns with Nehemiah's plea for God's attention and forgiveness.

Psalm 130:2
The psalmist's cry for God's attentive ear mirrors Nehemiah's request, underscoring the theme of seeking God's presence and intervention.