I am reading the Book of Nehemiah this week in my quiet time. Nehemiah was a man of prayer:
He prayed when things were bad:
"When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven." Nehemiah 1:4, NIV.
He confessed his sin and the sin of his people:
"Then I said: "O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s house, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly towards you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses." Nehemiah 1:5-7, NIV.
When he was given favor before the King and received a huge opportunity, he prayed:
"The king said to me, "What is it you want?" Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, "If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my fathers are buried so that I can rebuild it."" Nehemiah 2:4, 5, NIV.
That’s not a bad place to start today in prayer— pouring out our heart before God for the condition of our people and asking God to work in us and through us.
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