So the book of Nehemiah is really interesting. This story continues of the returning of the exiles from Babylon and describes the call of the great leader Nehemiah, whose God-given wisdom , action and strength led them to rebuild the city walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah’s commitment and faithfulness to the Lord made him powerful and a courageous leader. He had a personal relationship with God and was known for his prayers and his committed action. For example: when he hears that the Jewish exiles in Judah were in great disgrace and trouble { And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire. Nehemiah 1:3}, he turned to God immediately {And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven, Nehemiah 1:4}. He also prayed before making his appeal to the king Artaxerxes for help. {Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven. Nehemiah 2:4} And when the task of rebuilding the wall was disrupted by opposition, Nehemiah’s first response was to pray { Hear, O our God; for we are despised: and turn their reproach upon their own head, and give them for a prey in the land of captivity:  And cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before thee: for they have provoked thee to anger before the builders. Nehemiah 4:4-5}. Prayer was the greatest importance, top priority to Nehemiah’s success as the leader of God’s people. (As mother’s we too are leaders, and we can learn a whole lot from the book of Nehemiah and his style of leadership. We can pray without end. )Nehemiah organized and coached God’s people into action. Nehemiah anticipated and developed a plan . Nehemiah righted wrongs by using prayer and action. Nehemiah cared for the poor and reformed worship. { Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.  Nehemiah 4:9} But above all, Nehemiah did not rely on his talents, his own strength or ingenuity. Nehemiah relied on God’s integrity. {They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand-held a weapon. For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.  And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another. In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us. Nehemiah 4:17-20} Nehemiah relied on God through prayer. So should we.