Tuesday 16th February 2010

Gallery of Influential Lives – Nehemiah 

A Rough Guide to Praying for Our City

The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah: 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 survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.

³They said to me, "Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire."

⁴When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.⁵Then 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,⁶ 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.⁷ We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.”

⁸"Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, 'If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations,⁹but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.”

¹⁰"They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand.¹¹O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favour in the presence of this man." I was cup bearer to the king.

12 Top Tips For Engaging in Prayer and Intercession

1. Understanding God's nature

Nehemiah knew that God's nature was to forgive, to bless and to restore. Understanding this gives us confidence to approach God knowing that He longs to turn the impossible into the possible.

2. Understanding God's ways

Nehemiah understood that God works in the affairs of men when His people seek His face and pray. God moves only when people pray.

3. Connecting with your passion

Nehemiah's heart was in Jerusalem and it moved him to tears and to action. The word passion is derived from the Latin verb 'Passio' – to suffer. Passion is the God given desire to make a difference somewhere.

4. A need that only God can meet

Nehemiah understood that only God could turn this situation around. There was nothing that he or anybody else could do, so he turned to God in prayer. God works when His people pray.

5. Repentance

Nehemiah understood that sin blocks access to God and hinders the flow of His Spirit. As he confessed his sins he re-opened the pathway.

6. Fasting

Nehemiah understood that when prayer is combined with fasting it has the capacity to truly move both the heart and the hand of God. When we desire justice more than food God listens!

7. Word of God

Nehemiah understood the difference between the general word of God (Logos – what God has done) and a specific word from God (Rhema – what God will do) for a specific person about a specific situation. He sought God for His specific Rhema word for his people at that time.

8. Crying Out

Nehemiah understood that there is a difference between 'prayer' and 'crying out to God.' He knew that God will allow or arrange circumstances to arise that seem to have no solution – and then do nothing to remove the problem, until we cry out to Him. Isaiah 40:9, Jeremiah 33:3, Numbers 20:16

9. Asking God

Nehemiah asked God for exactly what he wanted and got it – favour with the King! Jesus commands us to ask  for it shall be given to us, to seek for we shall find and to knock for the door of opportunity will be opened to us.

10. Waiting on God

Nehemiah waited on God for the work of God. God would open the door, God would create a miracle, God would do what He said He would do. Nehemiah exercised confidence in God's timing and help during difficult times. 'Unless the lord builds the house, its builders labour in vain.' Psalm 127:1

Bonus Tip #11 Personal Involvement (Prayer & Justice – Faith & Works)

Nehemiah got involved. He used his gifts and talents expressed through his works as a vehicle to bring justice to his nation.

Bonus Tip #12 The Most Effective Form of Intercession

Is the one that you do regularly! Nehemiah, David, Daniel, Paul and Jesus all discovered a personal rhythm of prayer that worked for them: mornings, evenings, lunch time, tears, words, actions, songs and poems. The potential is virtually endless.