Are You Afflicted for Others?

Nehemiah 1:1-4 KJV

1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace, 2 That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. 3 And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire. 4 And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,

I am struck at Nehemiah's response to hearing the news of his people. He was truly afflicted himself right along with them. He wept for days. He fasted and prayed.

Shouldn't this be our response to hearing of atrocities? Shouldn't the massive numbers of abortions every day cause us to weep, fast, and pray? When fellow brothers and sisters in Christ are under persecution, shouldn't we stop, weep, fast, and pray? When we hear/know of marriages that are falling apart, shouldn't we weep, fast, and pray?

I know I am guilty of not being burdened for those less fortunate enough to draw me to my knees in prayer. Why am I not? I feel ashamed of myself for slacking in this.

I would love for you to share your thoughts on this topic.