Nehemiah knew enough to request letters from the kingletters that would ensure his safe travel, and help him to acquire sufficient building materials (2:7, 8). There were many needs, hopes, and dreams of the people, but God's vision for the immediate future was captured in rebuilding the wall. Nehemiah 1:11 ERV. In the book of Nehemiah, we meet a man of God with a broken heart because of his broken nation. 9). Give your servant success today by granting . When confronted with tests and trials, let us remember the example of Nehemiah and . May I grieve and repent for the sorry state of . As New Testament believers, we can similarly pray by I will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.". These five Bible lessons were written especially to help saved children, but the unsaved can also benefit from them. The phrase, "great and awesome God" is striking. READ Nehemiah 4. Nehemiah 1:4 "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.". It happened at a time when the captivity of the Jews had already come to an end. Nehemiah Response - Reconstruction on a Biblical Foundation. Praying through Nehemiah 1:5 Heavenly Father, thank You for the exemplary life of Nehemiah and for the wonderful way that He immediately turned to You in humble prayer and supplication, when confronted with insurmountable difficulty. One day Nehemiah's brother and some friends came to . From the beginning of the plan of salvation in eternity past, God has a plan and is working it out. Nehemiah was emphatically a man of prayer. 8. Help me be like Nehemiah, help me come to you for guidance, strength, provision and protection. Only a small group remained in Jerusalem. We should pray for our nation's leaders, especially our president (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Nehemiah - two prophets together on common subjects - Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, and then come the Psalms, as the little song says that help you remember where some of these difficult books are - Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, and then comes the Psalms. God loves it when we pray back prayers from His words in the Bible. The same all-powerful God who Nehemiah prayed to for help in rebuilding the city walls, is the God we seek in prayer today. Hands that had been sapped of strength while leading worship. Study #1 Nehemiah's Call to Prayer (Chapter 1) pgs. This prayer in Nehemiah is not that long, but it's a great model for us to study so that we can learn to put first things first. We should always begin our prayers this way, by acknowledging the greatness of God. Nehemiah approached God in prayer by Praising Him as the LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God. The first attempt to rebuild the . Upon hearing the news of Jerusalem, Nehemiah immediately began to pray and seek the Lord on behalf of the city and its people. No one in the king's court was ever allowed to be sad. Nehemiah 4:10. . The focus of the lesson was to help students to discover from Nehemiah's burden that their burdens for others should lead them to pray and seek wisdom from God. When Nehemiah learned of this, he got to work on a plan that would keep the people safe. Greatly distressed by the report, Nehemiah sought God's will through fasting and prayer to determine what steps he should take to help rectify the deplorable conditions of his countrymen. Background: Until the third century AD, the book of Nehemiah was combined with the book of Ezra in a work that was referred to as either Ezra or Ezra-Nehemiah (see intro to Ezra).The book is a record of history continuing on after the temple was rebuilt under the oversight of Ezra, Joshua and Zerubabbel. by Kirk Walden, Advancement Specialist It's not a stretch to say that Nehemiah was an expert fundraiser. Nehemiah's Prayer. First, he presented himself respectfully before God. (2 Corinthians 4:7) Jehovah also uses the Bible to answer our prayers and to help us to make wise decisions. * Before the Study 1. For Nehemiah and his people the vision was captured in three words: "rebuild the wall.". The first thing Nehemiah and the people did was pray. Prayer: Lord, thank You for the example of Nehemiah's prayer. Read Micah 6:8. O Lord, my God, help me to trust you with my decisions and my future. That's when Nehemiah stepped in to help. And our enemies said, "Before they know or see a thing, we will come into their midst, kill them, and put an end to the work." So, the situation at hand now is that Nehemiah finds favor with the king and is granted permission to go. Like the Lord's Prayer, Nehemiah's salutation lifts his eyes to view the expansiveness of the Maker of the heavens. Nehemiah 1:11. He's in the business of . Nehemiah inquired about the condition of the city and the people. Bible Story Title: Nehemiah's Burden. They responded, "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" (1:3). Target Age Group: Ages 9-11 (3 rd -5 th Grade U.S.A.) Target Time Frame: 60 Minutes. - Nehemiah 6:9. Called by God: Nehemiah. It meets all the criteria Murray named. As you pray, great power is coming. And yet that prayer had power. Meanwhile, the people of Judah said: "The strength of the laborer fails, and there is so much rubble that we will never be able to rebuild the wall." Nehemiah 4:11. Verses 1-3, Sanballat and Tobiah were first deeply disturbed when they heard a man wanted to help the people of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2:10). Our prayer is that through these lessons boys and girls will enter into God's perfect will for their lives . The prayers of Nehemiah Nehemiah 1:4-11 Upon hearing about the situation in Jerusalem from his brother, Nehemiah is deeply moved to the point of action. And you faithfully keep your promises to everyone who loves you and obeys your commands. Oh Lord, help me and deliver me from the arm of the mighty of this world in Jesus name. I dropped my Bible and lifted my hands. When he was in trouble, he prayed. 18 Jehovah uses his holy spirit to answer our prayers. The first chapter of the Book of Nehemiah introduces the book bearing his name as a resident of Susa, the capital of the Persian Empire. "God bless them." "Be with them." "Help them know how much you love them." "Bless the works of my hands." "May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to you, Oh Lord.". - Psalm 27:1 Nehemiah was a man who lived on his knees. Meanwhile, the people of Judah said: "The strength of the laborer fails, and there is so much rubble that we will never be able to rebuild the wall." Nehemiah 4:11. . Recently our kids at church learned the story of Nehemiah and how he re-built the wall of Jerusalem. God's leader builds a team. The Important Work of Prayer for our Leaders: Pray for wisdom for government leadersinternational, national, state, and local. We just don't think of him in this way, because his heart for God and his people, and his passion for the project of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem takes precedence in our minds. Nehemiah's Prayer - A National Model for Prayer . He is all about building up what has been torn down. (1.5) . God listens to our prayers and answers prayer. but to help you to facilitate group conversation. New Testament Our life should be filled both with dedicated times of private prayer, and also with those short prayers of help in times of need. Moses' 40 Day Prayer Deuteronomy 9:18-20; 9:25-29. Hands that needed to fix healthy meals for my diabetic husband. Titus 2:7,8. Make a list of some prayer requests you might have and some praises. 6). When we read the Bible, we may find scriptures that will help us. Talk about how Nehemiah prayed and asked God to help him. Nehemiah was a man of prayer, and he was also a good planner. Our text this evening records the prayer of Nehemiah. Nehemiah 4:10. 4.1 When you start to rebuild the walls of your life . Nehemiah 1:4-11 English Standard Version (ESV) Nehemiah's Prayer. Nehemiah's success was answer to prayer. Nehemiah was able to articulate how long it would take him to implement the plan (2:6). So if you can find the Psalms, which isn't too The Babylonians conquered Israel and took most of God's people into captivity. Give me clear guidance in my life, Lord. I was comfortable telling Marilyn that she should continue bringing her request to God until he clearly answers yes or no. He also believed in working and praying. As your humble child, I ask for the gift of wisdom today. Instead he prayed: "Now strengthen my hands.". One day Nehemiah's brother and some friends came to . It had power because it matched Nehemiah's life of prayer. . As we observe the 71st National Day of Prayer in the United States, I encourage every believer to take some time and pray for our nation. Notice the short prayer Nehemiah prayed before answering the king. May I, in like manner, not sidestep Your sufficient provision nor try to solve the problems of life on my own. It meets all the criteria Murray named. Nehemiah for Israel's Restoration (Nehemiah 1:5-11) "Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in reviewing your name. . Nehemiah's Prayer & Fasting Nehemiah 1:3-11. 'You are Good' by Shout Praises Kids GAME IDEAS: 1. Pray for those who protect and serve our leaders and country. I want you to take a look at Nehemiahs prayer to help him carry out this building project 7 We have acted very wickedly toward you. Oh Lord, be my present help and fight my battles today in Jesus name. In this case Nehemiah's prayer is evidence of a life lived in constant communion with God. This theme actually comes from the book of Nehemiah (2:20), which describes how God led the people Israel in the task of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. In what ways does Nehemiah meet the . iii. Praying through Nehemiah 1:3. For Nehemiah, prayer was a first resource, not a last resort. . 4:4, 9; 5:19; 6:9, 14; 13:14)." [50] "Quick prayers are possible and valid if one has prayed sufficiently beforehand. 4 WHEN YOU FACE OPPOSITION AS YOU TRY TO REBUILD. A bstract: Nehemiah, whose role changed from that of royal cupbearer to governor of Judah, utilized multiple leadership strategies in accomplishing his goal of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. In every danger, in every difficulty, still more at any crisis, prayer rose to his lips (see Nehemiah 4:4, 9; Nehemiah 5:19; Nehemiah 6:9, 14; Nehemiah 13:14, etc.). Help me grow in the fruit of the Spirit and so walk closer with Yourself. Nehemiah and Israel Prayer & Fasting Nehemiah 9:1. Father help me from those who are too strong for me in Jesus name. The first thing about the prayer contained in Nehemiah 1 is that the text indicates this prayer is a synopsis of many days of prayer . Nehemiah is the account of the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. Mervin Breneman, in vol. 7). It is recorded that Nehemiah "prayed to the God of heaven, and said unto the King" (Nehemiah 2:4,5). 2.1 NEHEMIAH FACES OPPOSITION REBUILDING THE WALL. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . 4 As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. This principle is still true for believers today. Nehemiah's heart for the city led him to pray to God in praise, confession of sin, and prayer for kindness from the king. but despite the fact that an answer was immediately required Nehemiah realises that he needs the guidance of God and so he shoots a swift prayer to heaven and answers . the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. Nehemiah was quick to call for help. Praising Him As the LORD God of Heaven, the Great and Awesome God "Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those . Nehemiah's prayer for his homeland is a model any godly person in any generation can imitate. Nehemiah's prayer consists of: 1) acknowledgment of and praise for who God is, 2) confession of his sins and the sins of Israel, 3) reminder of God's promises to Israel if they will repent, and 4) a request to help Nehemiah when he approaches King Artaxerxes. Solomon's Prayer to Dedicate the Temple 1 Kings 8:23-61. Yielding himself to God by repeatedly calling himself God's servant. Sanballat, Tobiah, and the other enemies of Jerusalem were plotting to stop the wall from being rebuilt. Prayer for Guidance from the Holy Spirit Lord, I pray you would move the Spirit more boldly in my life. Nehemiah, one of the captives, was cupbearer to the King of Babylon, a position of great trust since the cupbearer was the King's food taster. Nehemiah is not a tender soul, but the fact that the wall has broken downthat Jerusalem is in ruinstruly upsets him. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen. Prayer transforms our hearts and causes us to be dependant on Him. Help me today as I ask the king for help. In an individual life, then, the rebuilding of the walls would be a picture of re-establishing the strength of that life. If you only ask God for help in times of need and never prayed to Him before, those prayers may lack the same power. Being "vigilant with a view to prayers" enables us to meet various challenges (See paragraphs 13, 14) 14 If we are "vigilant with a view to prayers," we will not be caught off guard and thus compromise if a test of faith comes upon us unexpectedly. His favorite position when faced with problems was the kneeling position. Children split up into teams and allocate two players as their injured soldiers. He . These types of arrow prayers are nurturing in nature. The LORD our God is a planning God: The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations. . Read Philippians 4:6 together (you may also choose to begin memorizing the verse together). 7. ased on Nehemiah's prayer (Nehemiah 1:5-11), list several ingredients of effective prayer. Our messages for this quarter are based on the theme, 'Arise and Build.'. . Point out that the verse also says to thank God. Nehemiah knew that his prayers were being answered and that answered prayers often come from the boldness to pray in faith for others to help us. He longed to go to Jerusalem and he knew that it would take the Lord's help and guidance to make the trip. When Nehemiah heard that the walls of Jerusalem were still broken down more than a half-century after the completion of the rebuilding of the temple, he "sat down and wept," fasting and praying before God (Neh. Nehemiah's patience 16-19 Study #3 Obstacles to Rebuilding God's Community (Chapter 5) pgs. His prayer is an example of humility and genuine faith in the mercy and power of God to intervene on his behalf (1:3-11). Psalm 91:1-16 ESV / 59 helpful votesNot Helpful. I wanted them to do an activity in which they could build their own wall and also connect it with prayer (as Nehemiah prayed to God during the time of the re-building of the wall). When the king offered to help, Nehemiah quickly prayed for the Lord's guidance and then asked the king for help. 7. 4 As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. Only a small group remained in Jerusalem. When that happens, man and God become partners to do great things. Principle: A leader is action oriented. Nehemiah requested God's help in chapter one for Jerusalem. He encouraged them with expressions of optimism based on God's help and the king's approval. Samson Judges 16:28. Give me the humility and thankfulness to respond to Your call with "Here I am; send me!" I pray in the name of Jesus. 3 OVERCOMING OBSTACLES AND OPPOSITION WITH GOD. Examples for blessing arrow prayers are as follows. 20-23 . . 'Nehemiah' by The Fabulous Bentley Brothers 2. And Jerusalem is a symbol of the city of God, God's dwelling place and the center of life for the world. He inquired and sought information about . Nehemiah knew most of these facts before this. And listen to the prayers of all your other servants who are happy to honor you. 10, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, The New American Commentary . Watch and pray and work characterized this man. Repenting by confessing his sins and the sins of the people. I know that any sin can grieve and diminish the voice of the Spirit, and I pray against the temptation to sin. Not only was the physical part of Jerusalem restored, but now came a . 8 "Remember So I prayed to the God of heaven. As Nehemiah said in one of his prayers: Lord God of heaven, you are great and fearsome. harles Swindoll The self-sufficient do not pray; they merely talk to themselves. He writes: "I prayed to the God of heaven." (I have referred to this specific type . 2.2 We can bring energy, enthusiasm, and excitement to a rebuilding project only to collapse and crumble when we face obstacles and opposition. Pray that followers of Jesus in leadership positions would lead with integrity. ( Psalm 33:11 ). Oh Lord, dissapoint all those who say of me that there is no help for me in Jesus name. Heavenly Father, thank You for the example of Nehemiah who not only grieved at the state of his nation and repented of their sin, but trusted You to fulfil Your promises to Your people Israel by offering himself to be used by You, to fulfil Your plans for His people. MAIN POINT. Nehemiah begins by giving God praise, which is also what Jesus tells us to do in the Lord's Prayer. May I humble myself before You, remembering that everything I have comes from You. Sometimes, as now, the prayer was offered . 1 Timothy 2:1,2; Romans 13:1-7. With these people in place, the Jews celebrated the feasts of God under the spiritual guidance of Nehemiah and Ezra the scribe. When we pray for help to cope with a problem, he may use his holy spirit to give us guidance and strength. Whenever he needed guidance, strength, provision, or protection, his first response was prayer. Make him pleased with me so that he wil. He . In Nehemiah 1:5-10 he records his heart-felt prayer in which he asks God to act on behalf of the city of Jerusalem. Jesus' parable of the tenacious widow seeking a judge's help (Lk 18:1-8) is a dramatic reminder that there are times when long-term persistence in prayer is not only permitted but recommended. 5 And I said, "O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6 let your ear be attentive and your . 8). For example, Nehemiah not only had a heart for the city of Jerusalem, but he also acted. Called by God: Nehemiah. The same all-powerful God who Nehemiah prayed to for help in rebuilding the city walls, is the God we seek in prayer today. Daily Reading: Nehemiah 1-7. Before he set out on the project, Nehemiah prayed. So, Lord, please listen to my prayer. "Give your servant success today and grant him mercy in the sight of this man" Neh 1:11. Soldiers start from [] Lessons from Nehemiah's Prayer 2. The book of Nehemiah is full of instruction about how God's work is to be done in God's way, and for God's glory. Hands that would touch a computer keyboard the next morning to write of God's love and grace. Pastor Sandy Adams commented: "It's not the length of a prayer, but the strength of the prayer that counts." How God answered Nehemiah's . We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses. He attempts new things, takes initiative, and works toward something. Talk about how we shouldn't worry but should pray. But the first action is to pray and seek the heart of God. For days, he can't eat; he can't sleep; he prays and mourns and fasts. With gracious kindliness he facilitates its utterance. And listen to the prayers of all your other servants who are happy to honor you. Injured Soldiers. Recalling answered prayers and touches of God's grace in my own life will help me pray with anticipation. As we will discover, this was a powerful and honest prayer. As soon permission was granted, he begins to ask for additional help from the king. Guidance Prayer. He's in the business of . Remember, Nehemiah prayed this after the Israelites were released from seventy years of Babylonian captivity. Asking God to grant him compassion before the king. Nehemiah, one of the captives, was cupbearer to the King of Babylon, a position of great trust since the cupbearer was the King's food taster. So, I decided we would create our own "Great Wall of Prayer.". He is all about building up what has been torn down. After hearing the alarming report about Jerusalem, Nehemiah prayers a most powerful prayer and not only is it a model for praying for a nation, it is a supreme example of a model prayer for each one of us individually. Nehemiah had a plan, and God always works through a plan. In Nehemiah 2:4 when King Artaxerxes probes Nehemiah about his sadness, Nehemiah shoots up a quick prayer to God for help before answering. 11-15 Study #2 Praying Amidst Opposition (Chapters 2-4 & 6) pgs. Nehemiah 1:4-11 English Standard Version (ESV) Nehemiah's Prayer. . Below are some suggestions to assist you. Bible Passage: Nehemiah 1-2. The Babylonians conquered Israel and took most of God's people into captivity. We can't help but admire Nehemiah's boldness . Examine Nehemiah's prayer and identify the elements of it ().The elements of Nehemiah's prayer can be seen as: Praise: he first praises God (v. 5).. Confession: he confesses on behalf of his people, emphasizes his personal sin in the matter and identifies the exact nature of their sin (v.6-7).. Claims God's Promise: he reminds God of His promise in the Mosaic Covenant (v. 8-10) 1:4). His work was accomplished through an active prayer life, providing a vision to his followers, using his closeness to King Artaxerxes to receive help, role modeling, adaptability, and foresight. 7. This prayer is a brilliant mosaic of biblical quotations . Solomon's Prayer for Wisdom 1 Kings 3:6-9. In chapter two, he prayed a "popcorn prayer" while he was in the presence of the king. Without this vision, the other needs could not be met. He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. Help me crave your presence more than I crave sin. Memory Verse: Nehemiah 6:16 "And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God." Bible Lesson: God uses Nehemiah to lead His people to rebuild Jerusalem's walls (Begin with prayer) There was a time when cities built strong, high walls around . Nehemiah begins to pray 10 to the L ORD (that is, God's revealed name, "Yahweh"), whom he describes as "the God of heaven," a phrase commonly used in the Persian empire. Nevertheless, Nehemiah couldn't help being sad after he heard the news. . 1 The words of Nehemiah son of Hakaliah: In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, 2 Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.. 3 They said to me, "Those who survived the exile and are back in the province . As I face tough choices and hard situations, help me remember my belovedness, help me remember that . "One of the most striking characteristics of Nehemiah was his recourse to prayer (cf. Text: Nehemiah 4:6-23. 3. In this short book, we have 14 of his prayers. Let me lean on you with all my heart instead of relying on my own imperfect understanding. Shares BIG IDEA: WE CAN RESPOND AND PREPARE IN PRAYER SONG IDEAS: 1. When he approached the king, he prayed. And our enemies said, "Before they know or see a thing, we will come into their midst, kill them, and put an end to the work." Lesson #2: Pray about everything Nehemiah believed in watching and working. when they love enough to care, care enough to cry, cry enough to pray, and pray enough to act. Quick. Here Nehemiah makes the brief prayer to which we have already referred. ii. God uses prayer as the means by which he accomplishes his plan. December 22, 2015. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father's family, have committed against you. Nehemiah's prayer for his homeland is a model any godly person in any generation can imitate. 5 And I said, "O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6 let your ear be attentive and your . Because of Nehemiah's humble dependence, God was able to use him greatly to achieve His purposes. Our political leaders need guidance and wisdom, and our nation needs an awakening. But what do we pray for specifically? For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. When times of opposition come, God wants us to rely on Him - and the purest way of expressing our reliance on God is through prayer. Nehemiah 2:11-20 Introduction: There are three kinds of people in the world: . The injured soldiers lie at the end of the room. Nehemiah's prayer contains several important principles we can apply in our prayers.