Nehemiah 4:7-9 But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth, And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it. Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.
The enemies of the Jews were very angry that they built the wall and fought against them to hinder it. Their anger may be unwarranted and unreasonable, but we don’t expect the devil to be reasonable in his attacks against the people of God.
Nehemiah’s response to this threat was to pray to God for protection and for wisdom to know what to do. When we are confronted with any spiritual attack or threat from the Enemy our first response is to pray. We need God’s guidance and protection. We put on the armor of God and stand, “praying at all times in the spirit [Ephesians 6:18].” This response makes us strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Nehemiah combined prayer with preparation and planning. We trust God and keep vigilant watch at the same time. We pray and look for what God wants us to do. We are serious when we combine prayer with thought, preparation, and effort. We are always sober and vigilant for the devil is always prowling. We pray, and then we act according to His will. We recognize the Enemy, pray to God, and are watchful for his schemes.