A Heart Captured by God

There are times when the bad news someone gives us touches our heart in a deep and profound way. We can’t get it out of our mind. Nehemiah shows us what we should do when God touches our heart with empathy for the struggles of others.

When Nehemiah learned that the remnant in Jerusalem “are in great distress and reproach, and the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates are burned with fire (Nehemiah 1:3, NASB),” God touched his heart.  His response: “When I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven (1:4).” Nehemiah did not ignore what God placed in his heart.

His immediate response was to seek God about the situation with prayer and fasting. His prayer in 1:5-11 is not only repentant for the sins of Israel, but also reveals his deep desire to serve God. He cited God’s covenant, His word given to Israel that he would return those scattered if they “return to Me and keep My commandments and do them (9).” In His prayer he revealed that he and others who remained faithful to God, delighted in revering His name (11).

When God places something on our heart, we should first pursue it with prayer and fasting to help discern the next step. Use that prayer time to wrestle with your doubts about what God is calling you to do and seek repentance for any sin that may hinder your calling. Draw closer to Jesus and seek a desire for God’s will over your own desires.

Pray, then, in this way: “‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’ – Matthew 6:9-13, NASB