Feb8 – Day 39. God is our Strength

“Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)

Welcome to another daily prayer. Pray without ceasing, and commit to unwavering prayer, for the joy of the Lord is your boundless source of strength and vitality. Nehemiah addressed the people with a reassuring message, saying, “Go and indulge in the finest foods and delightful beverages, and be sure to share with those who may not have anything prepared for themselves. Remember, this day is sacred and set apart for our Lord. Do not let sorrow linger in your hearts, for it is the joy that comes from the Lord that serves as your true source of strength.” This call to celebrate, share, and find joy amidst their sacred observance emphasizes the importance of community, gratitude, and spiritual resilience.

Transcript

Good morning, everyone! welcome to another episode of EBC’s Prayer Podcast. Today is February 8, marking the 39th day of the year.

I’m your host, Dr. Victoria Haddad, the First Lady and Prayer Leader at Elyon Bible Church Apostolic in Salem, New Jersey. It fills my heart with joy to connect with all of you as we embark on this spiritual journey through prayer.

As we’ve shared in previous episodes, our prayers and reflections throughout the year will draw inspiration from the 66 books of the Bible. We will start with Genesis and, through our collective prayers, move forward to the book of Revelation.

For today’s prayer, let's turn our hearts and minds to the book of Nehemiah. Our scripture will be taken from Nehemiah 8:10, which reads: “Nehemiah said, 'Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.'”

The Lord is inviting us to celebrate and reflect on His goodness. 

Let's take a moment to reflect on how we can embody this spirit of joy and generosity in our own lives, sharing not just material blessings but also the love of Christ with those around us. 

Let’s Pray

Dear Heavenly Father. Our Joyful and Merciful God. Father, we come before you with grateful hearts for the privilege of prayer. Thank you for the gift of being able to speak with you directly, for knowing that you hear us, and for assuring us that your heart is always inclined toward us.

Lord, you are rich in mercy and overflowing with love. Thank you for reminding us through the prophet Nehemiah that we should “go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to you, our Lord. So, we should not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is our strength.” 

Lord, thank you for reminding us that your joy is not fleeting or dependent on our circumstances. It is steady, it is constant, and it strengthens us. We praise you for being a God who not only calls us to joy but also provides the very strength that makes joy possible in the midst of trials.

Lord, you are reminding us that Nehemiah was urging the people to indulge in joyous celebration and community sharing. This is vital because the Israelites had returned from deportation and were re-establishing their identity and faith. Nehemiah emphasizes that despite the trials they have faced, today is a day of holiness and joy. Lord, today, you are encouraging us to find strength in your joy, regardless of our circumstances. 

Father, we are praying with joy today. Too often, we take your love for granted. We move through our days distracted, preoccupied, and sometimes burdened, forgetting that each breath is a gift from you. Lord, forgive us, and help us not to overlook your mercy. Forgive us when we fail to recognize the daily blessings you are pouring into our lives. Blessings of health, blessings of family, blessings of community, blessings of opportunities, and above all, the blessing of salvation through your son, Jesus Christ. Lord, help us to walk with a spirit of gratitude, not just in moments of abundance, but in times of shortage, struggle, and waiting. For even then, you are present, and you are good.

Father, instill in us a heart of compassion. You have shown us immeasurable compassion through the cross, and you call us to extend that same compassion to others. Teach us to love as you love, to be patient, kind, without judgment, and without condition. Open our eyes to those who are hurting around us and help us to carry encouragement to those in despair, comfort to those who mourn, and hope to those who feel forgotten. Lord, help us to pray and actively serve you with generosity and with all our hearts.

Lord, we are grateful that your mercy is new every morning, that we never exhaust the riches of your grace. 

Father, we pray for the strength to be people who rejoice in all circumstances. Remind us daily that the joy of the Lord is our strength, not our accomplishments, not our possessions, not even our relationships, but you alone, God, is our strength. May that truth settle deep into our hearts, and may it transform how we live. When we are tempted to despair, remind us that your joy is stronger than our sorrow. When we face trials, remind us that your joy sustains us through every storm.

Lord Jesus, we are lifting our families, our communities, and our church leaders before you. Pour out your spirit on each and every one of us. Where there is division, bring reconciliation. Where there is hatred, sow peace. Where there is fear, let your perfect love cast it out. And where there is darkness, may your light shine ever brighter.

Lord, help us to be generous as Nehemiah instructed, to share with those who have nothing prepared, to give from what you have given us, and to live a life that reflects your heart for justice and mercy. Help us to find joy not just in receiving blessings but in becoming blessings to others.

Lord, we give you all glory, honor, and praise. For you are worthy, you are holy, and you are good. Thank you for hearing our prayer, for holding us close, and for walking with us every step of the way.

We pray all of this with grateful hearts, in the powerful name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ…Amen.

Everyone. Keep on praying, keep on trusting God. Have a great day, and by God’s grace, we will pray again tomorrow. Bye-bye.