Nehemiah chapter one ends with prayer and chapter two starts in the same place. There are things that Nehemiah needs to happen that are totally beyond his reach. He needs a miracle for the king of Babylon to allow him to go back to Jerusalem and to give him access to supplies for the rebuilding. But Nehemiah also needs to use his muscles. The rocks are not just going to lay themselves into the wall. He, along with the residents of Jerusalem, are going to have to work hard and rebuild the wall together. The Christian life is one of complete trust in a mighty God as well as faithful obedience to all he has commanded us. If we rely on only one of these we will either be disappointed or burn out, but when both are working in our lives, the walls will be repaired in due time.