Praying to the ‘God of Heaven’

Praying to the ‘God of Heaven’

Prayer, Petition, and Providence

Text: Nehemiah 1:1-4, & 2:1-8

1 The words of Nehemiahson of Hacaliah:

During the month of Chislev in the twentieth year, when I was in the fortress city of Susa, 2 Hanani, one of my brothers, arrived with men from Judah, and I questioned them about Jerusalem and the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile. 3 They said to me, “The remnant in the province, who survived the exile, are in great trouble and disgrace. Jerusalem’s wall has been broken down, and its gates have been burned.”

4 When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for a number of days, fasting and praying before the God of the heavens. . .

2 During the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was set before him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had never been sad in his presence, 2 so the king said to me, “Why do you look so sad, when you aren’t sick? This is nothing but sadness of heart.”

I was overwhelmed with fear 3 and replied to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should I not be sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins and its gates have been destroyed by fire?”

4 Then the king asked me, “What is your request?”

So I prayed to the God of the heavens 5 and answered the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor with you, send me to Judah and to the city where my ancestors are buried,,so that I may rebuild it.”

6 The king, with the queen seated beside him, asked me, “How long will your journey take, and when will you return?” So I gave him a definite time, and it pleased the king to send me.

7 I also said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let me have letters written to the governors of the region west of the Euphrates River, so that they will grant me safe passage until I reach Judah. 8 And let me have a letter written to Asaph, keeper of the king’s forest, so that he will give me timber to rebuild the gates of the temple’s fortress, the city wall, and the home where I will live.”, The king granted my requests, for the gracious hand of my God was on me.

(This message is intended to complement the Esther series and provide further challenge to our lives as we consider the position we have in life and before God as we considered in last week’s message.)

Key text: 4 Then the king asked me, “What is your request?” So I prayed to the God of the heavens 5 and answered the king. . .

In this text Nehemiah makes a request of the King of Persia after a season of prayer and fasting that he be allowed to help his people as they return to Jerusalem.

For us today we must consider how God has prepared us in our unique positions to intercede on behalf of others as we seek Him in prayer.

Question: How does God want me to pray, and what does He want me to do?

Background:

The setting: The narrative of Nehemiah begins in the ancient city of Susa, the winter capital of the Persian Empire.

Susa means “lilies” because of the beautiful flowers that surrounded the city at the time. The ancient Persian word also means beautiful, comfortable, nice climate. (Modern day city: Shush in the Zagros Mountains of Iran)

The title: “God of Heaven” (2 Chron. 36:23; Ezra 1:2, 5:11-12, 6:9-10, 7:21-23; Neh. 1:4, 2:4, 2:20; Daniel 2:18-19, 28; Jonah 1:9) is used specifically (and almost exclusively) in text based in the Persian empire and was previously a title for a Persian god that is now used for the one true God and means He is in control of everything.

Nehemiah means “God comforts ”

è Nehemiah was a cupbearer to King Artaxerxes I (465-424 BC), a position which held significant political and strategic sway. Nehemiah was concerned for the welfare of his fellow Jews as they were returning to Jerusalem and asked to be part of leading the effort of reconstruction.

è Nehemiah was a contemporary of Ezra and they worked together to lead the exiles as they returned in waves to Jerusalem. Their lifetimes and influence most likely overlapped with Esther and Daniel.

Nehemiah is notably a man of prayer.(aside from this text see also Nehemiah 4:9; 5:19; 6:9,14; 13:14,22,29,31). The book starts and ends with a prayer.

Note: The events in Nehemiah are after the story of Esther.

Dates of Nehemiah’s mission to Jerusalem: 445-433 BC

Parallels Between Esther and Nehemiah:

è Both take place in the Persian Empire in the city of Susa

è Both are Jewish individuals in unique positions in the Kingdom

è Both have specific requests to make to the King on behalf of the Jewish people

è Both observe a period of fasting before they make their requests

è The requests on behalf of the Jewish people likely take place in a private banquet setting

è Both are granted a favorable response from the King

Notable Differences Between Esther and Nehemiah:

è Nehemiah has an appointed position in the King’s administration whereas Esther was the Queen.

è Nehemiah is known to be a Jew whereas Esther was assumed to be Persian.

Why Esther matters to Nehemiah: Without Esther’s intercession on behalf of the Jewish people and the rise in prominence and position of Mordecai in the administration of King Xerxes/Ahasuerus, the favorable position of his son Artaxerxes I would not have been possible.

Question of Interest: Who is “the Queen” in Nehemiah 2:6?

Basic Outline of the Introduction of Nehemiah:

· Nehemiah receives word that the progress with the exiles in Jerusalem is not going well. (1:1-3)

· Nehemiah prays and observes a period of fasting for four months. (1:4-5)

· The king notices that Nehemiah is downcast (perhaps the Queen helped with this) (2:1-3)

· The king inquires as to why Nehemiah is downcast (2:4)

· Nehemiah prays. (2:4)

· Nehemiah requests to help in Jerusalem. (2:5-6)

· The King grants his request. (2:8)

The king granted my requests, for the gracious hand of my God was on me. (end of verse 8)

As we approach difficult or daunting tasks, we should:

Ø Consider the position God has placed us in.

o Why have I received this news?

o Why does this news burden me so greatly?

o Why am I in a unique position to respond to this news?

Ø Carefully undertake the preparation necessary for our task.

o We should seek the Lord in prayer.

o We should (on occasion) observe the discipline of fasting.

o We should continue in our life situation so that we can be a faithful witness.

Ø Confidentially make our petitions known.

o To God.

Lord, the God of the heavens, the great and awe-inspiring God who keeps his gracious covenant with those who love him and keep his commands, 6 let your eyes be open and your ears be attentive to hear your servant’s prayer that I now pray to you day and night for your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins we have committed against you. Both I and my father’s family have sinned. 7 We have acted corruptly toward you and have not kept the commands, statutes, and ordinances you gave your servant Moses. 8 Please remember what you commanded your servant Moses: “If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples. 9 But if you return to me and carefully observe my commands, even though your exiles were banished to the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place where I chose to have my name dwell.” 10 They are your servants and your people. You redeemed them by your great power and strong hand. 11 Please, Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant and to that of your servants who delight to revere your name. Give your servant success today, and grant him compassion in the presence of this man.,

In his prayer, Nehemiah:

· Worshipfully addresses God and acknowledges His power. (vs. 5)

· Requests to be heard. (vs. 6)

· Confesses his sins and the sins of His people. (vs. 6-7)

· Appeals to the promises of God (as he quotes Scripture and points to the work of redemption.) (vs.8-10)

· Requests God’s aid in speaking to an earthly authority and requests a favorable outcome. (vs. 11)

o If necessary, to people.

o And be prepared to act.

Prayer

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16 ESV)

We are petitioning the God of the Universe through the authority of the King of Kings.

è We have an advocate and intercessor in the throne room of Heaven. When we pray to God to ask a request, we know that Jesus is there at His right side.

“Thou art coming to a King, large petitions with thee bring, for His grace and power are such none can ever ask too much.”

― John Newton