One of the prayers I pray consistently is for revival. Revival in my heart, the hearts of those I love, the hearts of our community…until the prayer encircles all the land. I’m not special. I have prayer partners who are praying the same prayer. Changed hearts may be the only hope we have.

After Ezra and Zerubbabel finished the temple and Nehemiah finished the wall around Jerusalem, they held a holy convocation. The people gathered at the square which was at the Water Gate. Ezra brought the book of the Law and read it. The people’s hearts were broken.

Nehemiah, Ezra, and the priests said to the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people were weeping when they heard the words of the Law. Neh. 8:9.

The people were encouraged to go home and feast because it was a holy day. And again they were told, “Do not be grieved for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Neh. 8:10 And in verse 11, “Be still, for the day is holy, do not be grieved.”

In verse 12 it says, “they understood the words which had been made known to them.” The people really heard, not just with physical ears but the ears of their hearts. When that happened their hearts were broken for the sin the nation had committed. They had godly sorrow that led to repentance,

The leaders encouraged the nation to celebrate. The Temple had been rebuilt and the wall around Jerusalem was finished. Now the hearts of the people could be restored…In the following chapters, we see the people confessing and promising to keep the Law.

Praying for:
Tender hearts.
Open ears.
Repentance.
Confession.
Restoration.