Holy Burden Leads to Prayer (Part 2)

***Series Title Slide***

Let’s continue our series from the book of Nehemiah with a series titled Pray, Plan and Persevere.

The overall theme of this book is the return of the nation of Israel to the city of Jerusalem as a continuation of the book of Ezra. Last week we saw how Nehemiah sensed a call to lead the rebuilding efforts of the wall around Jerusalem.

We labeled this his Holy Burden. From this passage in Nehemiah, I gave us 5 different ways in which we might be able to sense and discern God’s leading. As a recap, here they are again.

1. God does not lead us to sinful action

We looked at a passage in 1 Peter to see that our Holy God calls his children to be holy

2. Our heart connected to God will reflect the heart of God

In John 15, we see that Jesus calls himself the vine and that we are the branches. Being connected to Jesus in this way allows us to bear fruit. The passage specifically says that if stay connected to him, we can ask whatever we wish, and that it would be done for us.

The truth in this is that things we wish will line up with how God is leading and we’ll ask in his will.

3. Sometimes the path God leads us on will include a no

We looked at the apostle Paul and saw where he was kept from going to certain places by the Holy Spirit. Just because there is resistance in the path, doesn’t mean God isn’t still leading us there. Paul never wavered in his resolve to preach the Gospel to the gentiles. He just accepted that he wasn’t to go to certain places.

4. God will lead us in areas according to our giftedness

I am so thankful for a God who gives us gifts and abilities. We say from Romans that we are all gifted differently and that we should lean into that giftedness.

Lastly

5. God will often lead in ways bigger than us

If you are sensing a call to do something that seems out of your reach, that might just be the confirmation that God is going to do it.

***Sermon Title Slide***

Today, we are going to look at the second half of this statement…that A Holy Burden Leads to Prayer.

Let’s read through Nehemiah 1 again this morning before we look in more detail to the prayer Nehemiah prays.

Nehemiah 1 NIV

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 are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” 4 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.

The people of Israel were in a season of returning from exile back to the city of Jerusalem. According to this chapter, this prayer was uttered in November/December of 445 BC.

In the 80 years prior, the remnant had trickled in and rebuilt the temple, but large areas of the city were still in shambles at the time of the report to Nehemiah. This report clearly effected Nehemiah and he sought God for how to move forward.

While we talked last week on how to sense and know what God’s leading might be, today, I want to look at Nehemiah’s prayer and show you how to approach God in asking for favor and direction.

We are going to use a little acronym for prayer as we go through it:

ACTS

Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication

Let’s work through the prayer a little at a time and see if we can get an idea on how we might pray.

Nehemiah 1:5–6a (NIV)

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.

Nehemiah starts with words of adoration or praise. First he addresses God as the Lord, God of heaven. Then he calls God great and awesome. Whenever you are praying, this is a good way to start. When you recognize the greatness, the bigness of God, your problems start looking smaller.

Then he speaks of God covenant of love and God’s willingness to hear Nehemiah. Notice as well that Nehemiah’s prayers are not just spoken once, it is done day and night.

When God puts something on your heart, continually petition him for clarity and favor to accomplish what he has set before you.

In this pattern of prayer, we start with adoration. Look what Nehemiah says next:

Nehemiah 1:6–7 (NIV)

6 ...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.

Nehemiah confesses sin. Not just the sin of others, but also for himself. He recognizes what was done. He doesn’t make excuses, he doesn’t try to blame it on someone else. He just gets right to the confession.

A couple of observations about confession…If you confession includes the word but or because, it’s probably not a true confession. I know from my own life, I’ve had to learn to not make an excuse or blame something/someone else…even if it is a valid excuse or blame.

Last observation…most revivals, awakenings and outpourings begin with a genuine time of confession and repentance. Last year we had three girls from Asbury college join us and they talked about how that outpouring started and the nature of what kept it going. Repentance was one of the things they made note of.

Adoration, Confession…the next is thanksgiving. Let’s see what Nehemiah says.

Nehemiah 1:8–10 NIV

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.

Nehemiah doesn’t use the word thank you in this passage, but you can hear his gratitude for God’s plan to discipline them and then remember them as they heed God’s correction. He promised to gather them…not only promised, but at the time of this prayer had already begun the process. and finally Nehemiah thanks God for their collective redemption.

In our study of Philippians 4 with Chip Ingram’s book Peace, we saw where Paul encouraged us in all circumstances to pray with thanksgiving...

Philippians 4:4–7 NIV

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and finally Supplication.

That last word is not one we use on the regular. Let me define it for you before we read...

Supplication: The act of asking or begging for something earnestly or humbly

First we focus our eyes on God through adoration, then we recognize our sin condition. Then we Thank God for provision and blessing and grace…we do all of that before we even ask a thing. When we get to the asking, we want our hearts and minds as in line with the Lord as we can. These first three help us do that…then we ask…let’s see what Nehemiah prays...

Nehemiah 1:11 NIV

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 prayed day and night…I bet there were more words he used than just these, but these words capture his heart as he approached God with this request.

Something else that’s interesting is that he prayed for at least 5 months, perhaps even 6 before he has a chance to talk to the king. Yet his prayer here says “give me success today”.

As I read this, I get the impression that Nehemiah was asking for God’s favor with the king each day, waiting for the right moment, in a sense waiting for God’s leading in the moment to speak to the king.

That moment would not come for several months. One of the things that I’ve learned in the last 9 years in pastoring this church is that sometimes God will give us a glimpse into what he is doing and what it might look like, but he doesn’t always tell you the when.

We have to be patient and wait for the right time. We have to be diligent in petitioning God for his favor, wisdom, direction...

We are going to see God answer Nehemiah’s prayer in the coming weeks…not next week since we’ll be talking baptisms, but the week after.

The beautiful thing about God is that he never changes. The same God who put the burden into Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem is the same God who has probably put a burden into you. The same God who met Nehemiah prayer with an answer, is the same God who wants to meet you with an answer to your prayer.