A Prayer of Nehemiah
A Prayer of Nehemiah
Mary Lou Cheatham
Nehemiah, a cupbearer for a Persian king more than 400 years before Christ was born, led a company of his people from Babylon to Jerusalem, where he restored the walls and civil authority. Where his nation once existed, he found ruins. His challenge was for him a great one.
This man Nehemiah has been studied and admired through the centuries as an example of a great leader. In his writing he admitted his human frailties and told how he coped.
A Prayer of Nehemiah is an informal conversation about the first prayer Nehemiah wrote in his book. His starting point is surprising but effective.
About the Pictures, Mostly Public Domain
In 1919, Adolf Hult drew an illustration of Nehemiah leading the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls. The picture appeared in a Bible primer to teach children in Sunday schools. Public domain, Library of Congress.Models of Solomon’s temple are popular. This public domain photograph appeared in 1898. LOC
The picture of Zion Gate in Jerusalem, possibly photographed in 1860, is in the public domain, Notice the person standing inside the gate to realize the size of the gate. LOC
The large picture at the top of the page dates back to 1856, when Frank Mason Good photographed it. The quality of this ancient photograph is amazing. The title is The Golden Gate, Jerusalem. At some point in history the opening of the gate became a solid wall, sealed off with large bricks. Public domain. LOC
The photo of laborers rebuilding the wall is in the public domain. LOC
The Kidron Valley photograph on the book cover is purchased from i-Stock. Jesus crossed the valley in his frequent trips between Jerusalem and Bethany. He must have crossed it to go to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane the night before his crucifixion. When animals were slaughtered, the blood not used in the offerings flowed into the little stream. Is there symbolism involved because Jesus crossed over this blood before giving his own?
