Today’s Scripture: Nehemiah 1:5-6, NLT– “Then I said, “O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands, listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for your people Israel. I confess that we have sinned against you. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned!”
We can learn from the heart of Nehemiah how to prepare our hearts for prayer. In Nehemiah 1:4 after Nehemiah had heard about the state of God’s remnant in exile, we are told he “Sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.” (NKJV)
Nehemiah did not hide nor rush his emotions. He showed us it is ok to mourn as many days as we need. At the end of his emotions, he began to earnestly turn his intensity towards the God of heaven. He fasted so that his fleshly needs were turned to focus on God. Then he prayed.
If you are not sure how to pray, Nehemiah provided us with a model prayer in Nehemiah 1:5-6. He first recognizes to whom he is praying. The LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God. He reminds God of His promises to us to bring us all back to a place where His name will be honored. He pleads with God to listen. He prayed day and night. He confessed his sins against God. He then reminded God in Nehemiah 1:9 of what His scriptures, given to Moses, had promised.
In Nehemiah 1:11 Nehemiah even asked God for success and prosperity in his plan to talk to his boss, the king. We can ask God to bring success and prosperity in our service to Him. It is interesting to note that Nehemiah must have consistently prayed to God these prayers for a while as the New Living Transition stated that it was early the next spring when he finally approached his boss.
How consistently do we fast and pray, night and day for months in anticipation of stepping into what we know God is calling us to do. I am guilty and I am sure most of you are of praying once and expecting God to act.
After months of praying, Nehemiah was still troubled and “very much afraid.” It is Ok to be afraid. Yet, despite his fear, he spoke boldly to the king armed with months of thought and prayers. Interestingly after the king asked what he wanted, we are told in Nehemiah 2:4, that he prayed again to the God of heaven, before responding.
When we are burdened to serve the LORD, we can be certain that God will grant us success and put it into the hearts of others to help us. God will give us the wisdom and boldness to ask for those things that will help us complete our mission.
God has placed plans in our hearts. Let us ask now that the LORD, God of heaven, who listens to our prayers, lay His gracious hands upon us and our mission. When He looks down on us day and night will He see us praying with a heart prepared for Him?
Today’s Prayer: O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps His covenant of unfailing love with us. Thank You for Your gracious hand that is upon me. Forgive me LORD for my sins. Your plans have been put in my heart. Listen to my prayer O LORD. With a prayer to You in heaven I am asking for help to gain what is necessary for me to complete the plans You have given me. May Your gracious hand be upon me as I fulfill Your plans to feed Your sheep. Amen.
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