Verse 1
In the palace halls of Persia’s land,
A cupbearer stood with a steady hand.
Yet news arrived from Jerusalem,
Broken walls and gates condemned.
The city of God lay scarred and torn,
A people wounded, weary, worn.
What others saw as ancient stone,
Nehemiah felt within his bones.
Pre-Chorus
He wept, he mourned, he fasted and prayed,
Seeking the Lord before plans were made.
Not trusting strength, not trusting pride,
But waiting for God to lead and guide.
Chorus
Lord, give me Your burden, let my heart be moved,
For the things that grieve You and the work You choose.
Break what is selfish, awaken what’s true,
Build in me a heart that lives for You.
From sorrow to purpose, from prayer to action,
From ashes to hope by Your compassion.
Lord, make me faithful, make me ready too,
Like Nehemiah, walking close with You.
Verse 2
He was assertive, determined, strong,
Yet surrendered his will to God all along.
His natural strength passed through the cross,
So God’s desire became his cause.
He loved the Lord and loved His plan,
Not seeking glory among men.
In secret fellowship day by day,
He learned to trust and walk God’s way.
Pre-Chorus
He prayed for mercy, confessed the sin,
For the nation and himself within.
The God of heaven would hear his cry,
And move the mountains standing high.
Chorus
Lord, give me Your burden, let my heart be moved,
For the things that grieve You and the work You choose.
Break what is selfish, awaken what’s true,
Build in me a heart that lives for You.
From sorrow to purpose, from prayer to action,
From ashes to hope by Your compassion.
Lord, make me faithful, make me ready too,
Like Nehemiah, walking close with You.
Bridge
A king’s heart is a river in Your hand,
You direct the course of every man.
What seems impossible today,
You can open up a sovereign way.
The burden begins in the secret place,
Before the favor, before the race.
The work of God is born in prayer,
When hearts are willing and people care.
Final Chorus
Lord, give me Your burden, let my heart be moved,
For the things that grieve You and the work You choose.
Make me a vessel of resurrection life,
Faithful through sorrow, faithful through strife.
May my heart be one with Your desire,
Set apart and filled with holy fire.
Until Your purpose is seen anew,
I’ll walk like Nehemiah, trusting You.
Ending
The walls were broken, but hope remained,
For God still works through hearts He claims.
A burden received, a prayer begun—
The story of rebuilding had only just begun.
Riverakua