Sunday Sermons 

6th May 2007

Nehemiah 1: 5 - 11    Learn to pray the Nehemiah way.

1, Nehemiah made prayer his priority.

    Prayer came before action. He didn't rush in to sort the problem.

    First he took his problem to God and waited to hear God's solution.

2. Nehemiah began his prayers by recognizing that God is great and awsome.

    He filled his mind with the majesty and holiness of God - praise came before stating needs.

    His power. (v. 10. Great strength, mighty hand) His faithfulness and love (v 5).

   This prayer or rooted in a clear vision of God. How do we develop clear vision of God?

3. Nehemiah reminds God of their covenant relationship.

    God is a covenant keeping God. V 5. Nehemiah reminds God of His commitment to His people.

    Nehemiah and the people of Israel are bound to Him as His servants. v 6.

    The role of Israel, God's people in keeping the covenant is love and obedience. v 5.

4. Nehemiah acknowledged his human weaknesses, failings and unworthiness before God.

     Following on from No. 3 he exposes the root of the problem - the sin of people

     In v7 he lists sins clearly.

     He identified himself with the sins of his people - including myself and my father's house. v6.

     So he identified himself with God's historic people that he saw himself as part of their past

     rebellion.

5. Nehemiah prayed with perseverance.

     Day and night v6. Also chapter 2 is 3 - 4 months later.

6. Nehemiah reminded God of His promise to Israel.  v 8 - 9.

     Remember (key word in Nehemiah's prayers) the instruction you gave your servant Moses. v8.

     To scatter if unfaithful and to gather if they returned to God.

     Arthur Wallis. (In the Day of Thy Power. P 118.)

     "This is a spiritual lever that never fails to move the hand that moves the world."

     Nehemiah's pleading comes from God's own word. This gives him great confidence - YOU have

     said......

     v 8b comes from Deut. 28: 64. v9 comes from Deut. 30: 1 - 4. v10 comes from Deut. 9: 29. Past

     great acts of God.

7. Nehemia's prayer was full of scripture.

     He quotes scripture but his prayer is shaped by scripture.

     He reviews the past acts and promises of God and focuses them on the 'now' that he was in.

     He is building his faith as he prays.

     For us - we don't plead with God on the basis of the Exodus and the Sinai covenant but on the

     basis of the cross, the blood of Jesus and being ' In Christ'.

     In "The Pilgrim's Progress" the key called 'promises' unlocks every door in doubting castle

     so that Christian and Hopeful could escape. Which promises do you use?

     Romans 8: 1.  1 John 1:9.  Matthew 6:33.

     E M Bounds. It is His highest pleasure to answer prayer to prove the reliability of His promises.

     Prayer p 252.

8. Nehemiah made a specific request.

    He did not make great intercession for Jerusalem or the people.

    Nehemiah asked for favour in the presence of one man.

    "This man" was the greatest, most powerful ruler in the world but to Nehemiah he was " this man."

     Prov. 21: 2 The king's heart is in the hands of the Lord. He directs it like a watercourse wherever

     He pleases.

     Nehemiah was overawed by God, not by Artexerxes whose support, provision and protection

     Nehemiah needed.

     He also asked for success. This is biblical. 1 Chronicles 3: 10. Oh that you would bless me!

9. I was cupbeared to the king.   v11

    A high position giving close daily contact with the king.