On Wednesday night I began a new study in the book of Nehemiah. What a great book to carry a congregation through that will help teach about prayer, sacrifice and tenacity. We see it all in Nehemiah.

The first thing we learn about this man is his dedication to prayer. The book opens with him receiving some bad news concerning his hometown. Instead of getting all bent out of shape or getting so upset he had to get placed on medication, he did what we all should learn to do when we find ourselves in the same predicament.

verse 4 says, "when I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven."

He says before I did anything. Before I jumped to conclusions. Before I allowed my mind race to think of speculations. Before I ran home to try and fix the situation. Before I got mad at those responsible... I stopped what I was doing and went before the One who could help me through this situation.

Nehemiah had a dedicated prayer life and you could tell. Because those who do not will jump ahead of things and wait to find themselves waiting until the last resort before they decide to prayer. Nehemiah knew his first action needed to be to STOP and PRAY.

Prayer: "God, help us realize going to you first will not only help our situation but it will help us through the situation."