In this lesson, children learn that Nehemiah prayed to God when he heard that Jerusalem was in trouble, and that God wants us to bring our sad and worried feelings to him. This lesson is best for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
When something is broken or sad, we can talk to God about it, because he always hears us and cares.
Memory Verse
Nehemiah 1:11
Lord, I beg you, let your ear be attentive now to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants, who delight to fear your name; and please prosper your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” Now I was cup bearer to the king.
(WEB)
Sit on the floor with your hands folded, then slowly lift them up as if you are opening a door toward heaven. Say the verse together while you do the motion, and repeat it three times so the children can feel the words as well as hear them.
The Story: Nehemiah 1 for Kids
A man named Nehemiah lived in the city of Shushan, where he worked for the king of Persia as his cupbearer. Nehemiah was a Jewish man, and his family came from Jerusalem, the city of God far away. One day in the month of Chislev, some visitors came to see him, and one of them was his brother Hanani.
Nehemiah asked his brother how things were in Jerusalem. Hanani told him that the people who lived there were in great trouble, and that the wall around the city had been broken down. The gates had even been burned with fire. Nehemiah heard this, and his heart was very sad.
Nehemiah did not run off to fix things right away. He sat down and cried, and he kept on being sad for many days. He did not eat much, and he prayed to God in heaven. He told God how much he cared about his people and how sorry he was about the wrong things they had done.
In his prayer, Nehemiah remembered the promises God had made long ago. He said, “Please listen to me, Lord, and help me.” He reminded God that his people belonged to him and that God had saved them by his great power. Nehemiah asked God to help him find favor with the king.
Nehemiah showed us that when we are sad about something, we can take it to God. God heard Nehemiah’s prayer, and this was the beginning of a big story about the wall being rebuilt. For now, Nehemiah had a good place to start: talking to God.
Read It Together
Nehemiah 1:4
When I heard these words, I sat down and wept, and mourned several days; and I fasted and prayed before the God of heaven…
(WEB)
Point out that Nehemiah did not hide his feelings. He sat down, he cried, and he prayed. Ask the children what they do when they feel sad, and remind them that God wants to hear about it too.
Nehemiah 1:5-6
5 And said, “I beg you, the LORD, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and loving kindness with those who love him and keep his commandments: 6 Let your ear now be attentive, and your eyes open, that you may listen to the prayer of your servant, which I pray before you at this time, day and night, for the children of Israel your servants, while I confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Yes, I and my father’s house have sinned.
(WEB)
Show the children that Nehemiah starts his prayer by remembering who God is: great, awesome, and faithful. Explain that prayer can begin with praise and then move to asking for help.
Nehemiah 1:8-9
8 “Remember, I beg you, the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you trespass, I will scatter you among the peoples; 9 but if you return to me, and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts were in the uttermost part of the heavens, yet I will gather them from there, and will bring them to the place that I have chosen, to cause my name to dwell there.’
(WEB)
Point out that Nehemiah reminded God of his promises, and that God always keeps his word. Tell the children that God does not forget his people, even when they are far away or far from home.
Talk About It
- What made Nehemiah feel very sad when he heard the news about Jerusalem?
- What did Nehemiah do first when he felt sad, and why do you think he chose that?
- Can you tell about a time you felt sad or worried? Who did you talk to about it?
- What is one thing Nehemiah reminded God about in his prayer?
- How can you pray to God when something in your life feels broken?
Activity Ideas
Broken Wall Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a few small blocks or cardboard pieces. Have each child draw a wall with some bricks missing, then draw a small praying figure beside it. Talk about how Nehemiah prayed about the broken wall and how God hears our prayers about the broken places in our lives too.
Prayer Pose Game
You will need an open space and a timer or a simple counting song. Call out different prayer positions such as kneeling, sitting with hands folded, or lifting hands up. Each time you call one out, the children copy it and say, “God hears me.” Keep the game lively but calm, and end with everyone sitting quietly.
Take-Home Prayer Card
You will need index cards, a pencil, and a marker. Have each child write or draw one thing that makes them sad or worried on the front of the card, and draw a small heart on the back. Encourage them to take the card home and pray about it with a parent or family member during the week.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows us a leader who is moved by the suffering of others and responds first with honest grief and prayer. Nehemiah confesses his own sin along with the sin of his people, and he appeals to God’s covenant faithfulness rather than to his own merit. It reminds us that God’s people are often called to pray before they act.
Avoid overstating to children that prayer always fixes problems right away. Nehemiah’s story continues beyond this chapter, and God’s timing is his own. Help the children understand that God hears prayer and cares deeply, even when the answer takes time.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank you that you hear us when we feel sad or worried. Help us to bring our hearts to you like Nehemiah did, and to trust that you care about everything that is broken in our lives. Be with us this week and keep us close to you. Amen.
