“And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me. So they said, “Let us rise up and build.” Then they set their hands to this good work.” - Nehemiah 2:18 (NKJV)

These were the words spoken by Nehemiah at Jerusalem before being given the decree that the walls could be rebuilt for the people of the land. In earlier verses, while in captivity in Babylon, Nehemiah is praying ceaselessly to God asking for guidance and a path that will strengthen him and his people, asking for the ability to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem so that they could be protected from the dangers outside. 

While Nehemiah was praying and fasting, the king began to notice the anguish which he was feeling and expressing. The king decided that he would allow the people to rebuild the wall because God was working in other ways and helping Nehemiah through the king. The king sent Nehemiah away from Babylon and out of captivity so that he could return home and help his people and their families rebuild the ruin of the wall that was left. 

Upon arriving, the atmosphere was depressing and none of the men had any interest in helping the process that was needed desperately. Under a different civilization’s rule, their city in ruins, and the potential to be taken into captivity at any time left a constant sense of dread upon the men who were still in their home. Nehemiah understood what must be done because of the sorrow he was seeing, and he knew that inspiration was needed around the land, so he began to speak. 

He went to the officials of the city and began to say what needed to be said, “You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach.” - Nehemiah 2:17 (NKJV). These inspiring words began to convince the governors and officials that this truly was a worthy cause because of how much Jeremiah felt towards it, but it is no mystery who was really in control of this situation. God was always in the background working towards the persuasion of these men. 

After returning to the men by the gate, Nehemiah said, “I told them how the gracious hand of God had been favorable to me, I told them what the king had said to me. Then they said to me, ‘Let us arise and build.’ So they put their hands to the good work.” - Nehemiah 2:18 (NKJV). After delivering this message to the people of Jerusalem, their hearts were filled with joy and inspiration to rebuild the walls that once protected a land of beauty and richness. 

It is shown that Nehemiah had one of the most powerful prayers in the Bible and he was very close to God in all that he did. There are times in our lives in which we should pray much more than we do. Whether asking forgiveness or saying thank you for all that He’s done, prayer is one of the most powerful and necessary things needed to be a Christian. This is one of the most encouraging accounts in the Bible because it shows how much one man can do if he puts his full faith and trust in God, proving that he can rise up and build even in the most dire situations.