Lord, Strengthen My Hands.

Have you ever read Nehemiah’s story about how he rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem? I hadn’t ever truly read and understood the depth of this book until Michelle Myers and Somer Phoebus, two of the fearless leaders of She Works HIS Way (awesome ministry—you should go check out) dove deeper into this book in this month's training series. And it is wrecking my idea of how I go about being a leader, wife, friend, and just about every role I fill in my life.Cupbearer for king Artaxerxes, Nehemiah was a man of prayer and action. When he heard of the great trouble and shame that was on his people (the Jews) and how the wall had been broken down and its gates destroyed by fire, he was burdened for his people. He wept and prayed."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 open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel...give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man" (Nehemiah 1:5-11).After his prayer, he acted. He went to the king, and when the king asked for what Nehemiah was requesting, Nehemiah stopped "midconversation" to stop and pray again (Nehemiah 2:4). When the king granted his desire to go and rebuild the wall, Nehemiah didn't waste time. He called on his fellow friends and leaders to assist.Throughout the rebuilding of the wall, nations and armies tried to claim victory over Jerusalem's insecure walls, but Nehemiah prayed and acted, and God was faithful to provide protection and wisdom. By day and night, they labored under God's protection, and, in 52 days, the wall of Jerusalem was standing once again.Most of us struggle with prayer and action as a dichotomy, but the truth is, prayer and action should be cause and effect, rather than praying without follow through or working without involving God.This article is a challenge to the leaders out there. We are meant to lead with prayer and action, not just one or the other. Prayer and action, when added to our everyday lives, change everything.If we want to be a leader that effectively couples prayer and action, we have to position Jesus as our foundation. With His Word as our guide, we are on our way to be like Nehemiah, a man who, when opposition and trial came, opened his hands and prayed, “Lord, strengthen my hands for Your good work.” May that be our prayer when we lose our job, when our spouse is moody and arguments happen, when a friend is in need, when our church family is falling apart, when anything and everything happens...even midconversation... "Lord, strengthen our hands for Your good work."P.S. If you haven't read Nehemiah through and through, please do yourself a blessing and go do that now. You will be moved.words by Joy Payne and photo by Emma Tally