The Praying Politician

  Nehemiah, civil servant who becomes governor, personifies the ideal of a godly political leader who pours his life into serving his followers. His passion for his people, his anguish when his people fail, and his denial of his own desires explain how he accomplished a seemingly impossible task: the rebuilding of Jerusalem.  Nehemiah leads courageously, empowered by prayer. Whether it is his long prayer for guidance and courage when he learns of his people’s plight in chapter one, or short “prayers on the run” that he utters in response to crisis, prayer saturates Nehemiah’s leadership style. He asks for courage, he pleads for forgiveness, and repeatedly, he asks God to remember. Nehemiah understood two concepts that produce success for modern military leaders – force protection and operational security. He cared for his followers’ spiritual security as well; his greatest frustrations came when his people failed to identify threats to their success.  His prayers reveal the depth of his love for his people and his God. His actions flow from his prayers; he acts on the faith he has expressed.  He walked into a situation where previous leaders had been corrupt, where people expected him to follow their precedent, yet insisted on acting with integrity and honor. Leaders encounter obstacles. Nehemiah’s hunger for situational awareness made him aware of problems that he had to solve. He had to overcome supply problems and fierce political opposition, both outside and inside his people’s ranks.  Still he pressed forward, convinced that God had blessed his mission.   Some of his prayers unveil his hurt and anger, others his fear that his work might fail or be forgotten.  All his prayers reveal his faith in God and his love for his people. The biblical book of Nehemiah records the acts and prayers of this provincial governor. Nehemiah, the praying politician, served both God and country with passion and prayer.