The Art of Continual Prayer: Nehemiah 1-5

by Diana Durrill


Paul encourages believers to be in a continual state of prayer as they walk through the Christian life.  We can do this because of the finished work of Jesus Christ, who provides access to God.  Jehovah is always available, always listening, and always in control.

Nehemiah understood this about God.  We find a wonderful example of continual prayer in Nehemiah's life.  He is burdened and heartbroken over the desolation that has come to Jerusalem and he begins to pray, crying out to God.

"O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes be open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants..."

Nehemiah's burden and concern was so great that it was showing on his countenance.  When the king saw that Nehemiah was sad, he asked him why and Nehemiah tells us in chapter 2, verse 2,

"Then I was very much afraid..."

And in 2:4 we see how he conquers his fear:

"So I prayed to the God of heaven."

Unlike the previous prayer in chapter one, this was a quick, quiet plea for God's wisdom and words.  It was something offered up in a moment, even as his heart raced and the words came tumbling from his lips.

Later on, after they began rebuilding the wall they needed to pray for protection from those who would seek to destroy their efforts.

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

These are all examples of what Paul has in mind when he says, "Pray without ceasing" in I Thessalonians 5:17.  He means for believers to pray regularly and persistently.  Pray in thanksgiving, fear, anger,  or joy.  Pray when you find yourself full of trust and when in doubt, during trials or in times of blessing.

We can do this throughout our day - as we're folding clothes, as we drive by a homeless person, as we think of our children in the middle of their school day.  We can pray as we browse Facebook, lifting up friends (and friends of friends) who are going through tough times.  We can pray on an airplane or in a car.  We can pray for the injured when an ambulance passes by.  Prayer can be done through song, through writing or drawing (see example to the right), or through tears when no words will come.  It is a skill that is learned, practiced and developed, and in the end, it is an act of faith in which God richly blesses our lives as we learn to walk with Him through every circumstance.

Pray without ceasing.