We hear the deep burden in your heart for the injustices taking place in ###, and we stand with you in grief over the exploitation of the people by those in authority—a grievous sin that echoes the corruption Nehemiah confronted in his day. The parallels are striking, for just as the nobles of Israel oppressed their own brothers, charging usury and selling them into bondage while favoring foreigners, so too do we see a betrayal of God’s people for the sake of greed and unrighteous gain. This is an abomination in the sight of the Lord, who commands His people to act with justice, mercy, and integrity, especially toward their own kin.
Let us turn to Scripture to ground our response in God’s unchanging truth. In **Nehemiah 5:6-11 (WEB)**, we read how Nehemiah responded to this very evil:
*"I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words. Then I consulted with myself, and contended with the nobles and the rulers, and said to them, ‘You exact usury, everyone of his brother.’ I held a great assembly against them. I said to them, ‘We, after our ability, have redeemed our brothers the Jews that were sold to the nations; and would you even sell your brothers, and should they be sold to us?’ Then they held their peace, and found not a word to say. Also I said, ‘The thing that you do is not good. Ought you not to walk in the fear of our God, because of the reproach of the nations our enemies? I likewise, my brothers and my servants, lend them money and grain. Please let us stop this usury. Please restore to them, even today, their fields, their vineyards, their olive groves, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and of the grain, the new wine, and the oil, that you are charging them.’"*
Nehemiah did not remain silent—he confronted the sin boldly, demanded repentance, and called for restitution. This is the righteous response we must emulate today. The exploitation you describe—depriving citizens of jobs, overcharging them to drive them out, and enriching foreigners at their expense—is a violation of God’s command to love your neighbor as yourself (**Leviticus 19:18**) and to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God (**Micah 6:8**). It is a betrayal of the covenant responsibility leaders have to steward their authority for the good of the people, not their own enrichment.
Moreover, **Proverbs 22:16 (WEB)** warns, *"He who oppresses the poor for his own increase and he who gives to the rich: both come to poverty."* The Lord sees the schemes of the wicked, and He will not allow such injustice to go unanswered forever. **Proverbs 28:8 (WEB)** declares, *"Whoever increases his wealth by excessive interest gathers it for one who is kind to the poor."* The wealth gained through exploitation will not last, for God Himself will ensure that it is redirected to those who act righteously.
We must also remember that **Psalm 9:17-18 (WEB)** proclaims, *"The wicked shall be turned back to Sheol, even all the nations that forget God. For the needy shall not always be forgotten, nor the expectation of the poor perish forever."* The Lord hears the cries of the oppressed, and He will act on their behalf. Our role is to cry out to Him in intercession, to expose the darkness through the light of His Word, and to call for repentance among those who perpetrate these sins.
Now, let us pray together over this grave matter, seeking God’s justice, mercy, and intervention:
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**Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, the only name by which we can approach Your throne of grace. We lift up the nation of ### to You, for we see the deep corruption and exploitation that has taken root among its leaders and officials. Lord, just as Nehemiah was moved to righteous anger at the oppression of Your people, so too are we grieved by the betrayal of the citizens of ###—Your children—who are being deprived of their livelihoods, overcharged, and driven out to enrich foreigners and the ungodly.**
**Father, we ask that You expose every hidden scheme of greed and injustice. Bring to light the deeds of darkness that have been done in secret, and let the truth be known so that repentance may come. Convict the hearts of those in authority who have turned away from Your commands, who have loved money more than their own people, and who have acted as oppressors rather than servants. Softening their hearts, Lord, that they may turn from their wickedness and make restitution for the harm they have caused. If they refuse to repent, we pray that You would remove them from their positions of power, for it is better to have no leader than one who leads the people into ruin.**
**We pray for the citizens of ### who are suffering under this burden. Comfort them, Lord, and provide for their needs. Raise up godly leaders—men and women of integrity who fear You and will govern with justice and compassion. Give wisdom and courage to those who are standing against this corruption, that they may speak boldly and act righteously, even as Nehemiah did. Let them not fear the reproach of man, but trust in You alone.**
**Lord, we also pray for the foreigners who are being enriched at the expense of the people. May they come to see the evil of what is being done in their name, and may they too turn to You in repentance. Let no one escape the conviction of the Holy Spirit in this matter, for You desire that all would come to repentance and walk in Your ways.**
**Father, we ask that You would move mightily in ###, breaking the yoke of oppression and restoring what has been stolen. Let this nation be a testimony to Your justice and mercy, that all may know You are the God who sees, who hears, and who acts on behalf of the afflicted. We pray for a great spiritual awakening in ###, that the people would turn to You in faith, seeking first Your kingdom and Your righteousness. May the Church rise up in prayer and action, being salt and light in this dark hour.**
**We rebuke the spirit of greed, corruption, and exploitation that has taken hold in ###. By the authority of Jesus Christ, we command these evil forces to be bound and cast out. We declare that no weapon formed against Your people shall prosper, and every tongue that rises against them in judgment, You shall condemn (**Isaiah 54:17**). Let the plans of the wicked be thwarted, and let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.**
**Finally, Lord, we pray for the salvation of all involved—both the oppressed and the oppressors. May they come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, for it is only through Him that true justice and peace can be found. Let this time of trial drive the people of ### to their knees, seeking Your face and Your deliverance. We ask all these things in the precious and powerful name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.**
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Brothers and sisters, while we pray for God’s intervention, we must also consider what action we can take in obedience to His Word. If you are in ###, we encourage you to:
1. **Pray without ceasing**—gather with other believers to intercede for your nation. The prayers of the righteous avail much (**James 5:16**).
2. **Speak the truth in love**—if you have a platform or influence, use it to expose injustice and call for righteousness. Do so with wisdom, but do not remain silent.
3. **Support the afflicted**—if you are able, help those who are being oppressed by these unjust practices. Share your resources, offer encouragement, and stand with them in solidarity.
4. **Seek godly leadership**—pray for and support leaders who fear God and will govern with integrity. If you are called to leadership yourself, step forward in faith.
5. **Trust in the Lord’s timing**—God’s justice may not come as swiftly as we desire, but it *will* come. Do not grow weary in doing good (**Galatians 6:9**).
Remember the words of **2 Chronicles 7:14 (WEB)**: *"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."* This promise is for all who call upon the name of the Lord. Let us hold fast to it, believing that God will move mightily in ### if His people will turn to Him with all their hearts.
Stand firm in the faith, knowing that the battle is the Lord’s. He will vindicate His people and bring justice to the nations.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. 
