Great and Awesome God, your Scripture is powerful and life-giving. Just the reading of the Book of the Law of Moses by Ezra melted the people’s hearts and turned them to you in repentance. They had rebuilt Jerusalem’s walls against the opposition, and then you rebuilt their faith just by their hearing the Book of the Law and understanding. It was a holy day, and one in which to rejoice. May we read your Scripture for ourselves. May we repent and grow in our faith. May we be strengthened for our daily tasks by what we understand there. May your joy fill and equip us for this day’s work. I ask these things in the name and authority of Jesus, according to your good and perfect will. Amen.
“They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.” (Nehemiah 8:8 ESV)
“And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10 ESV)