As we enter the final month of the third quarter of 2025 and the close of the Hebrew year 5785, I can’t help but reflect on the duality of this season, both deeply transformative and painfully revealing. In my study of Nehemiah, I’ve been drawn into a greater understanding of mercy, not only as a personal gift but as an urgent necessity for our times.
And yet, Jesus’s words echo in my heart: “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). The disconnection from the Vine feels strikingly evident within the body of Christ, and my heart aches at the reality of rebellion and brokenness around us. Yet, cause and effect remind us that while sin breeds turmoil, God’s mercy brings restoration. Even now, I sense the stirrings of reformation and revival, a call to prayer, repentance, and a deeper hunger for the Lord, reminding us that He has not abandoned His people.
You may be wondering, what are the righteous to do in such a time as this? Many of us are carrying heavy personal burdens while also feeling the weight of the world’s brokenness. It is here that we must remember, mercy is not only corporate but also personal. God meets us in both places. Nehemiah 9 offers wisdom for navigating these tensions, showing us how to lead our souls and our communities through humility and repentance. As mothers, this is especially meaningful. Just as Nehemiah stood in the gap for his people, we are called to stand in the gap for our families: praying, repenting, and interceding on their behalf.
In this chapter, Nehemiah models leadership by guiding Israel in a national confession of sin, an acknowledgment not just of his own shortcomings, but of the collective failures of God’s people. His example reminds us that our influence as mothers is not limited to the home; our prayers carry generational weight and can help turn hearts back to God:
- “But they were disobedient and rebelled against you; they turned their backs on your law. They killed your prophets…They committed awful blasphemies. So you delivered them into the hands of their enemies…”(Nehemiah 9:26-27).
- “You warned them in order to turn them back to your law, but they became arrogant and disobeyed your commands…” (Nehemiah 9:29).
- “For many years you were patient with them. By your Spirit you warned them through your prophets. Yet they paid no attention, so you gave them into the hands of the neighboring peoples.” (Nehemiah 9:30).
Even in the midst of judgment, mercy rises to the surface. God did not destroy His people. He did not abandon them. Why? Because “you are a gracious and merciful God” (Nehemiah 9:31). This rhythm between rebellion and mercy mirrors our own times. We cannot ignore the cause-and-effect connection between sin and the brokenness we see in our world. Yet, the story never ends with sin—God’s compassion is always greater than our rebellion, and His love continually makes room for restoration.
This is where Nehemiah’s example speaks so powerfully. Though he was not personally guilty of his ancestors’ sins, he prayed as one of them, using the language of “we” and “us.” He stood in the gap for his nation, leading them in repentance and seeking God’s mercy. In the same way, the Church is called to intercede today. As one body (1 Corinthians 12:26), what affects one affects all. Intercession means stepping into places of brokenness, not because the fault is ours alone, but because God is raising up a remnant who will humble themselves, repent, and cry out for His mercy over nations, cities, churches, and families.
As mothers, this begins at home. We are entrusted to stand in the gap for our children, our marriages, and our households, shaping a legacy of prayer that reaches far beyond our walls. When we humble ourselves and seek the Lord, we align with the promise of 2 Chronicles 7:14—that God will hear, forgive, and heal.
This is not merely the closing of a quarter or a calendar year; it is a divine invitation to decision. Will we be the ones who cry out on behalf of others? Will we be the remnant that believes mercy still triumphs over judgment (James 2:13)? Let us rise as intercessors, rooted in hope, confident that our compassionate God has not abandoned us. Even now, He is calling His people back to Himself.
A Prayer of Intercession
Heavenly Father,
We come before You as one body, humbled by Your mercy and convicted by Your truth. Like Nehemiah, we confess that we and our people have sinned. We acknowledge the arrogance, disobedience, and rebellion that have separated us from Your ways. Yet, we cling to the promise of Your compassion. Lord, have mercy on our churches, our cities, our nations, and our world. Heal the disconnection. Awaken us to righteousness. Raise up a remnant who will intercede with boldness and love. Let revival sweep through our homes and communities, not by our might, but by Your Spirit.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Engage with Us
We’d love to hear from you! Please comment below with your reflections or share how you are interceding on behalf of your community. Share this post with someone who needs encouragement today. And don’t forget, you can continue engaging with these weekly meditations in the Christian Mommas App, where we grow together as women of faith who pray, repent, and believe in the power of God’s mercy.
