(The Nehemiah Journal of Prayer)Praying with passion Nehemiah 1, 2, 8, 9, and 12 I have heard from many of you about how meaningful it was l to spend time in prayer during the service. There are 12 different prayers recorded in the book and are filled with adoration in chapters 8 and 9; thanksgiving in chapter 12; confession in chapters 1 and 9; petition in chapters 1 and 2. There are prayers of anguish, joy, protection, dependence and commitment. The book is brimming with compassionate, persistent, personal and corporate prayer. Prayer gives Nehemiah perspective; it widens his horizons, sharpens his vision and dwarfs his anxieties.Nehemiah’s public life was the outflow of his personal life, which was steeped in, and shaped by, a lifestyle of prayer. His devotion to God, his dependence on Him for everything, and his desire for the glory of God found equal expression. He knew that only ventures that are begun in prayer and bathed in prayer throughout are likely to be blessed. Are you committed to prayer? It has been said that prayer is not getting our will done in heaven but getting God’s will done on earth. When praying: I. Realize Your Actual Condition 1:1-3 - The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in Susa the capitol, that Hanani, one of my brothers, and some men from Judah came; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped and had survived the captivity, and about Jerusalem. And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who survived the captivity are in great distress and reproach, and the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates are burned with fire.” The book of Nehemiah begins where any true salvation or revival has to start - with a realization of your spiritual condition. Nehemiah[1], asking of the Jews, and of Jerusalems condition was told, The remnant there in the province who survived the captivity are in great distress and reproach, and the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates are burned with fire. Lets take a moment and think of what this really meant. Out of the whole world, God had chosen but one nation - Israel. This nation was chosen to be his people, display his glory and bring understanding and light to the other nations of the world. The rest of the world was, and is, as John tells us in the power of the evil one. (1 John 5.19). The whole world was in spiritual darkness, blinded by the god of this age. (2 Cor 4.4) Their only hope came in the form of a small nation called Israel, who alone had the knowledge of the true God. And this nation was now completely destroyed! Broken and burnt to the ground, there now remained no walls of salvation, no gates to enter Gods presence and no visible sign of the living God on earth! It was Satans day as the entire world was in his control. This scenario speaks of more than just Jerusalem 2500 years ago. It speaks to us today of our own state. A. To those who have not known the Lord B. To those who have become Christians, yet who have let their walls of salvation get broken down and now find themselves in this same distressed state. I would just like to draw your attention to the depths of the fall of mankind and the predicament in which the world is left in. Like the nation of Israel, we were all created to know, enjoy, and display the glory of God and one act of disobedience left us destitute and void of his spirit - spiritually dead and under the control of another spirit that works in the sons of disobedience (Eph 2.1-2). Everyone born is born into such a condition. That is the nature of the fall. Spiritually dead, in the power of the evil one, and totally useless for that which we were created for; to love and give glory to God. Like Israel was in Nehemiah’s day, so is the world in which we live today. Even as Christians, Nehemiah speaks to us because we too often find ourselves displaying little of the light that is within us. We now are the light and salt of the earth – a visible witness of the living God to the world, and Satan will do all he can to destroy that witness. So how are your walls today? Is there a clear separation between how you operate and how the world operates? Are your goals, attitudes, and morals any different from those in the world around you? If not then look again at how restoration of those walls began through Nehemiah’s attitude and prayers. 1:4 Now it came about when I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven. 1:4 Now it came about when I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven. Nehemiah starts with a realization their condition(you must come to the realization of your actual condition). It progresses to action concerning that condition. When Nehemiah learnt of the true state of Jerusalem he sat down and wept and mourned for days. The picture is of a man coming to God on Gods terms. Not for money, Not for power, Not for the latest buzz… but for forgiveness and the restoration of life. Not offering God his good works Not offering God his good works… but with repentance and faith in the character of God. God Im seeking you that this condition would not (wont) remain! One very important message for us to note and get in our spirit man is this…that God is called ‘the God of Heaven’. In earlier times, God had been called ‘the God of heaven and the God of earth’ (Gen 24:3). Somebody say, Not now. Nehemiah was honest in seeing that because of the state of His people, God no longer had a visible witness on earth. Not NOW! Prayer should be: II. Gody 1:5-11 And I said, “I beseech Thee, O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who preserves the covenant and loving kindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments, let your ear now be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer of your servant which I am praying before you now, day and night, on behalf of the sons of Israel Your servants, confessing the sins of the sons of Israel which we have sinned against you; I and my father’s house have sinned. “We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, or the statutes, or the ordinances, which you did command, Thy servant Moses. “Remember the word which Thou didst command your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful I will scatter you among the peoples; but if you return to Me and keep My commandments and do them, though those of you who have been scattered were in the most remote part of the heavens, I will gather them from there and will bring them to the place where I have chosen to cause My name to dwell.’ “And they are Thy servants and Thy people whom you did redeem by your great power and by your strong hand. “O Lord, I beseech Thee, may your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant and the prayer of your servants who delight to revere your name, and make your servant successful today, and grant him compassion before this man.’ Now I was the cupbearer to the king. Nehemiah begins by reminding God of both His character and covenant promises to Israel if they loved Him. He then correctly confesses their sins as a nation(not in any way trying to hide from the fact that they have bought this upon themselves). They did it, own up to it! He reminds God of His promise to restore Israel if they returned to Him( vs. 8) and he states that Israel is God’s people whom he has so faithfully redeemed and protected in the past (vs. 10). This is a prayer of repentance based entirely on the promises, purposes, and faithfulness of God as they turn once again to Him. Note here that Intercession took place: Nehemiah not only confessed his sin, and those of his forefathers, but he besought the Lord that he would touch the heart of the King of Persia that he might allow him to return to Jerusalem to repair the walls. Prayer: III. Moves You Beyond Your Present Existence Nehemiah himself, we are told, was the cupbearer to the king. (vs 11). This was a very important position, as he would taste the Kings wine to make sure it was not poisoned. He was a trusted and close ally to the king. Nehemiah however, was willing to leave this position and like Moses before him choose to endure the ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, considering the reproach of Christ greater that the treasures of Egypt. (Heb 12:25-26). The job to which God called Nehemiah was to leave being a comfortable captive in the service of the Persian king (Artaxerxes), and travel to the home of his ancestors, Jerusalem; it was there the work of rebuilding the crumbling walls of a defeated people was to take place. I havent told you something yet that is very important to this story. A few years before this the king had let another group of Jews return to Jerusalem and begin building the wall. But the word got back to him that they were insurrectionists and so he had the work stopped and the wall torn down. Then he issued a decree that they would never be rebuilt. It was the law of the Medes and Persians, which meant it could not be undone. It really was impossible. Nehemiah accepted his calling, swallowed hard and approached the king for permission. The reason Nehemiah worried was the fact that even though God may call you to do something important, not everyone in the world (or church, or family) may see it that way. However, God gave Nehemiah a spirit of favor with the Persian king. Nehemiah thought more for Gods people and the restoration of Gods glory than he did for himself. This should be our attitude. This action is but a small picture of him who though he were rich, yet for our sake became poor, so that through his poverty we might become rich (2Cor 8:9 Along with Pray is: IV. Fasting, Faith, and Follow-through Chapters 8 and 9 present a long song of praise, confession, repentance (personal and corporate) and revival before the Lord. The walls had been rebuilt, Instruction in the Word had taken place, Ministering as a Team brought the people together…a revival had taken place. Ezra had led the people through a series of revival meetings. Revival is renewal. It only comes from the solid exposition of the Word of God and always results in repentance and renewal of relationship with God. It is God-started, God-centered and God-sustained. It comes from the preaching of God’s Word, continues with the study of God’s Word, and carries on with the proclamation of God’s Word to everyone we meet. All of this was the result of the initial preparation that was made in Ezra 8. Ezra prepared the people on the banks of the Ahava river. They spent three days fasting and praying by the river. Scripture is clear that God honors the humble prayers of His people. That’s where Ezra was. As soon as he had gathered up all the people who were going with him to Jerusalem, what was the first thing he did with them? He proclaimed a fast. Food wasnt on Ezras mind nor was having energy.What was on his mind was humility.“That we might afflict ourselves.” “Afflict” is what the word literally means. But it carries the meaning of intentionally bringing affliction for the sole purpose of causing humility. Isn’t that what fasting does? It makes you realize how utterly not in control you really are. How totally dependent you are on the provisions of God. Ezra could see how utterly helpless they really were compared to the hazards of the journey. Vulnerable. Helpless. Completely and totally dependent on God. Right down to their most basic need—food. Ezra called them to a place of complete and total dependence on God.Ezra and the people completely humbled themselves before God. And He answered their prayer. He answered their immediate prayer for safe passage, and He ultimately gave them revival. Fasting is required for revival. So is faith. Remember their whole purpose for going back to Jerusalem was to reteach the Law of God to the people. The people had a spiritual problem…they just didn’t know the Bible. They didn’t know the Law of God. They were doing like a lot of places today and having church with no Bible. Ezra was going back and he was going back to preach the Word to the people. He was going back to teach them the Law. Many of us would of had what if questions, but not Ezra he had faith. He knew what God wanted him to do…teach His Word. It takes faith…knowing Gods will…knowing God would provide. The kind of faith that acts. The kind of faith that works. The kind of faith that goes. No visions, no guards, no horsemen. Just God’s Word and His faithfulness. What kind of faith do you have? Can you just start walking…no guards…it takes faith to do that. Fasting and faith are required for revival. But so is follow-through. They didnt let the grass grow under their feet.They made their preparations and then they went. Whatever obstacle they came across didn’t matter. All they had to do was move. They knew how difficult it was going to be. They knew the possibility of thieves and robbers along the way. The easy thing to do would have been to stay back at Ahava and pray. Even fasting would have been easier than taking that trip. But what did they do? They followed through. They started walking. Ezra’s folks could have sat there on the river bank and prayed and fasted for years and they wouldn’t have gotten to be part of any type of revival.they started walking. They got busy heading in the direction where God wanted them. Step after step. Mile after mile. Day after day. Steady, faithful, consistent—follow-through. Ezra wanted to be in Jerusalem when God brought revival to His people. Now get busy. You’ve got people to talk to. You’ve got relatives to invite. You’ve got cards to send out. You’ve got phone calls to make. Start walking. Step after step. Mile after mile. Day after day until you get there. And when we get there—what a time it will be! Prayer will Lead to: V. Thanksgiving (27) At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out from where they lived and were brought to Jerusalem to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, harps and lyres. (28) The singers also were brought together from the region around Jerusalem…(29) for the singers had built villages for themselves around Jerusalem.When the priests and the Levites had purified themselves ceremonially, they purified the people, the gates and the wall(30) (31) I had the leaders of Judah go up on the top of the wall. I also assigned two large choirs to give thanks. One was to proceed on top of the wall to the right…(38) The second choir proceeded in the opposite direction... (43) And on that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy. The women and the children rejoiced. The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away. Nehemiah 12 The prayer of thanksgiving(gratitude) came ay the completion of a well-engineered, broad, stable, and well-constructed wall of protection around the ancient city of Jerusalem. The people had moved into the city and begun building their own homes, now they were ready to dedicate the wall of the city to Almighty God. Nehemiah brought in the specialists (Levities) that knew how to make the occasion joyful, thankful, and fun. Let’s have a blast in God’s presence! The whole day was to be an unforgettable occasion etched in the minds of all Israelites. Note that before the people could experience joyful celebration, they had to get their hearts right with God. The first step to a happy life is right living (holiness). Now, the celebration was about to begin. Ladders were brought and secured. The aged were given extra help and the little ones were given extra time. Nehemiah went up and down the wall shouting, “Everybody up on wall! Come on up!” And up the people came. Amazed at the view, they were filled with a sense of satisfaction as they saw what God had done from a completely different angle. The broad wall was able to hold hundreds for the processional that was about to begin. Ezra took the first choir and off they went. Nehemiah took the second choir and they headed in the opposite direction. Nehemiah places the emphasis on what was in the heart of the people…the rejoicing that was heard afar.People don’t hear the words and notes; they hear the joy in the heart. People who are lonely, hurting and depressed are not attracted to the choir, style or volume; they are impressed with people who testify to a joyful and happy spirit. Why? Because people need their lives rebuilt. That’s what the theme of Nehemiah is all about: the rebuilding of lives that have been broken by sin. “Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” 1 Thessalonians. 5:16-18. Thanksgiving draws on the hearts of believers and unbelievers alike. Each person comes under a strange compulsion to express gratitude to the Lord. For those who don’t know Christ, this results in a strange warmth. For the believer, a heart seasoned with thanksgiving provides entrance to the place of God’s provision. Thanksgiving always provides an entry into God’s presence. “Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving…” Psalm 95:2 “Enter His gates with thanksgiving…” Psalm 100:4 Why? “Every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights…” James 1:17. Every gift you enjoy today, this week, and for the remainder of this year will come from Almighty God. Everything… every raindrop, every morsel of food, every sunrise, every moonlit night, the ground you stand on. When and if you begin to think anything less, your heart becomes empty of thanksgiving and soon you become crippled and darkened in your mental state, critical and negative in your thinking, ungrateful which opens doors to vain imaginations, which results in a belief system that is erroneous and distorted. The first step in defeating Satan is not binding the enemy; it is “giving thanks.” Account of the ten leapers Luke 17 No matter what disease we carry in life - leprosy, bitterness, unforgiveness, cancer, sin, etc. - God’s great desire is to close the distance that we experience because of it. We close that distance with thanksgiving. You see, dear one, thanksgiving is a constant reminder of God’s provision and the blessings we don’t deserve. In our prayers rehearse what God has done in our history(as a church and as a people) and praise God for that, then to seek forgiveness in prayer for our personal and corporate sins, and from there through fasting, faith, and follow-through celebrate together the new life we have in Christ through His sacrifice for us on the cross with thanksgiving. Here is our prayer: God, give us courage to face our own lack of strength, our apathy, with humility – recognizing we depend solely on Christ for strength to accomplish the work to which He has called us. Lord, we rely on prayer to accomplish what we cannot – Be our strength, O God, our Rock and Redeemer! Lord, like Nehemiah of Jerusalem of old, let us see rebuilt walls of family and community in our day here in Memphis. May we see it in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Posted on: Sat, 01 Nov 2014 20:05:06 +0000
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