21 Days of Prayer - Day 13 - Friday, August 19, 2022 Before Action, Always Pray
Thought from yesterday: God answers prayer based on who He is not who we are.
That statement is “base camp” for prayer. There are certain statements that are said, that you remember over the timeline of your faith, and this phrase “God answers prayer based on who He is not who we are” is one of those.
ow for today, we’re looking at the prophet Nehemiah and his life. As we do, we’ll learn another principle that God has for us.
Before action, always pray!
Nehemiah 1:4-11 (NIV)
When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. 5 Then I said: “Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 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 family, 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, 9 but 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. 11 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 favor in the presence of this man.” I was cupbearer to the king.
Nehemiah is in action but he’s in prayer. Before the project he’s going to add power to the project.
Nehemiah prayed for 4-6 months before he appeared before the king. But while he prayed, he also prepared for the power that God was going to bring to this project.
The way Nehemaih prayed brought consistency.
Prayed with fervency.
He didn’t let up. When there’s stubborn situations it requires relentless seeking.
So you lock in. For Saturday prayer and good to do at home, praying verbally out loud helps me to lock in. It helps drive out the voice of the enemy and doubt. It builds up my faith.
Prayed with focus.
He prayed with God’s greatness not his own weakness.
We’re going to be faithful. We are going to complete the task.
We are to believe God will do as He said, and pray with His greatness.
Prayed with favor.
Just because you’re in a storm or struggle doesn’t mean you’re not in favor.
Just because the other team scores a touchdown doesn’t mean that you can’t score a
Touchdown.
Prayed with a “full steam ahead” faith.
Everytime Nehemiah made a move, someone would try to cancel him.
But everytime he moved forward, God would give him a new plan or direction.
God’s word doesn’t just stop the enemy, it will push the enemy back.
Because of Nehemiah’s prayer, the wall of Jerusalem was built in 52 days and God was glorified!
