While many examples of great spiritual leadership exist in scripture, one of the best documented lessons in true servant leadership is that of Nehemiah.

Nehemiah lived at the end of the Babylonian exile. As the remnant was returning to Jerusalem for the first time in 70 years, they found a city whose wall was scorched and whose pride â€" the temple of God â€" was reduced to a pile of rubble. Though the people felt disgraced, God had a man who would restore their fortunes and lead them in righteousnessâ€" Nehemiah.

A Man of Prayer

Nehemiah’s concern for God’s people proved to be the vehicle God needed to restore his chosen. The remnant in Jerusalem and had the long, discouraging task of rebuilding a nation and a culture. Nehemiah wept, fasted and prayed to God concerning the hopelessness of his people and with God’s permission, he wanted to do something about it.

Nehemiah began with prayer. If we aspire to be well used servants of God, then prayer should have top priority in our lives, too. How much time do you spend in prayer? How often am I in prayer? Are my prayer specifically regarding those I lead? These are questions a leader reflects on. Without prayer, the bottom can fall out of our ministries. We can do all of the right things, read enough scripture and exert enough energy, but unless we realize what Jesus did in John 6:63, that the spirit gives life and that the flesh counts for nothing, we’ll come crashing back to earth, burned out, disappointed and discouraged.

A leader’s first battle is waged on his knees.

A Man of Preparation

Nehemiah wasted no time outlining everything he needed for his mission: a letter guaranteeing military protection to Jerusalem, a document granting him lumber for his task, a horse and a few men. He was now ready for action. Successful leaders are rarely caught off guard because they plan purposefully. They know what they need to get the results they seek.

Jesus’ ministry began with 12 ordinary men who he trained and taught over a three year period to embrace God’s dream of world evangelism. It wasn’t by accident that Jesus chose these men. There was certainly nothing spectacular about them. However, it was Jesus’ plan and God’s provision that made everything work, not the strengths and limitations of the men he selected. Perfection is not a prerequisite, only preparation. Jesus prepared his followers. Nehemiah prepared himself, then his people. Do I have a vision? Do I know what or who you’ll need? These questions foster dependence on God and humility in spiritual leaders.

Nehemiah was now ready to build the wall. He spoke to God, obtained the materials and now all he needed to do was to set his plan into motion.

A leader prepares.

A Man of Action

At nightfall, Nehemiah ventured out to see the magnitude of the task at hand. Equipped with a few men and a horse, he took to the streets to quietly inspect the wall. Once he surveyed the project, it was then he proclaimed before the people what God had put on his heart to do: rebuild the wall. And the people were elated.

A good leader shows his faith in God through his corresponding actions. That’s what we get when we examine the actions of Nehemiah; he’s prayed up, he’s prepared for the work at hand and he goes about it with aggressive resolve. Everything rises and falls on the leader’s dependence on God and bringing his thoughts and any outside influences to full circle through God. He shouldn’t act without it.

Now that I’m prayed and prepared, what actions do I need to take? Is there someone I can call? Someplace I need to go? A conference I should attend? A meeting I need to assemble? These thoughts help a leader act effectively and make the best use of the time God has given him. Nehemiah wasted little time and neither should we. Whatever it is God has called you to do, trust that God has given you what you need to do it and move forward.

A leader doesn’t wait for others to act first. A leader trusts God, takes action and inspired others to follow.

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