I want us to look at Nehemiah....someone I would call a man of prayer. Please take time to read this wonderful book as it has numerous lessons that we can learn and apply in our own journey. But for now, I just want to point out this man's way of handling things. I would call Nehemiah a man of prayer.
Nehemiah 1
Nehemiah is talking with some friends and he asks them how things are going in Jerusalem. The news is not good. vs 3 reads "Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down and the gates have been destroyed by fire." Nehemiah's response: 1:4 "When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted and prayed to the God of heaven."
Nehemiah 2
Nehemiah is still saddened by the bad news. As a cupbearer to the King, Nehemiah spent much time in the presence of the King. The King asked Nehemiah what was wrong and how he could help.
Nehemiah's first response: 2:4 "With a prayer to the God of heaven, I replied......."
Nehemiah 4
Nehemiah is facing opposition from enemies and they are mocking Nehemiah and the workers.
Nehemiah's response: 4:4 "Then I prayed"
Later in the chapter Nehemiah, once again, faces the harassment of these same persistent enemies.
Nehemiah's response 4:9-"But we prayed to our God and guarded the city day and night to protect ourselves."
Later in the chapter when the workers are facing discouragement and are weary
Nehemiah's response 4:14- "Don't be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious....."
Nehemiah 5
When Nehemiah defends the oppressed, this is how he deals with it
5:19 "Remember, O my God, all that I have done for these people and bless me for it."
Nehemiah 6
Nehemiah is facing heavier opposition- the enemies are trying to trick Nehemiah with the hopes of killing him.
Nehemiah's response 6:16- "Remember, O my God, all the evil things that Tobiah and Sanballet have done. And remember Noadiah the prophet and all the prophets like her who have tried to intimidate me."
At the end of chapter 6 we read that the wall was completed in record time- 52 days! Verse 16 reads "When our enemies and the surrounding nations heard about it, they were frightened and humiliated. They realized this work had been done with the help of our God."
Nehemiah was a man of prayer from the beginning. Before he followed his emotions and began such a great and costly task- He sought God. Emotional decisions are not wise- we must step away from the situation and ask God what He wants us to do.
When the King asked how he could help Nehemiah, Nehemiah took that moment to send one of those "911 prayers" to God before he opened his mouth. I believe this speaks of the strength of Nehemiah's prayer life. He had confidence in that "911 prayer" because he had a strong prayer relationship with God.
When Nehemiah faced opposition, He could have argued and debated the enemies, he could have caved to intimidation and the work could have ended right there. But Nehemiah prayed. He fought the enemies with prayer. This was a powerful weapon. The enemies never saw this weapon with their eyes- but undoubtedly, this invisible weapon was the most powerful one Nehemiah had!
When Nehemiah found his workers discouraged and losing heart, the work could have hit a road block. Nehemiah had wisdom and he encouraged the workers by reminding them to pray and remember God.
The end result was that the wall was completed and the enemies were humiliated. The greatest thing is the enemies understood who was behind it all- THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY.
When we seek God's wisdom in our life and apply that wisdom, we will always ultimately come out ahead. Those folks in our "world" will have no choice but to say "to God be the glory".
Don't set out to pray for a certain amount of time a day- just set out to pray each day
Don't set out to have a 10 page list of everything you are going to pray for- rather just set out to pray for people and needs as they are brought to your attention.
Don't only think of prayer as a time where you get away and pray.
Rather think of prayer as dialogue with God throughout your day, while driving in the car, on your lunch break at work, waiting in line at the grocery store, etc.
Understand that none of the things I told you not to focus on are bad or wrong. But, sometimes we get a little legalistic or we set the bar so high that we can't reach it and then we get discouraged in our failure and stop altogether.
As you start with goals that are easily reachable, you will find that you will crave prayer more and more and you will grow in the amount of time you spend with the Lord in prayer and how you pray. In fact, it will grow out of desire and not even intentional growth.
We have been given an invitation to enter into the presence of the King. May that humble us, encourage us, and draw us to the One who sent out that invitation.
To God be the glory
