The Repentance Prayer

Introduction

Prayer has the capacity to change your life--to unlock the possibilities for your life.

Everyone of us face circumstances--both internal and external--that need changing. Prayer is an essential activity that can bring about the change we need to go from survive to thrive.

Quote from Albert Einstein: "Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

Many people desire to experience change in their life. A desire to become a better person, to improve in our marriages, families, health, finances, and life in general is normal.

But the best of intentions seem to result in the same defeat year after year.

This morning I want to give you God's remedy to this seemingly never ending cycle of broken dreams and goals.

Nehemiah

Nehemiah was a Jewish exile, living in the citadel of Susa.

Over seventy years before, Israel lost their independence, their land, and everything else due to their habitual idolatry and unfaithfulness to God.

Now, the exiled people were returning to their homeland. Already two waves of exiles had already made the journey back to Jerusalem and Judea.

However, news came to Nehemiah (who remained in the serves of the Persian King Artaxerxes) that the returning people were not doing well. The Scriptures tell us that these people were "in great trouble and shame."

What do you do when in life you face great trouble and shame? Let's see what Nehemiah did.

Nehemiah 1:4 ESV

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.

Transition

Nehemiah could have confronted his trouble and shame with a great plan--or he could have easily found someone to blame--or he could have just pretended these problems were non of his concern.

What did Nehemiah do? He prayed--but not just any kind of prayer. It is what he prayed that ushered in the change need, not only for his life--but the life of his people.

Through his prayer, Nehemiah gives to us steps to navigate through our problems, our troubles, our shame--and lead us to genuine and lasting change--a change that makes a huge, positive impact on our lives and the lives of those around us.

And, what Nehemiah demonstrates in his prayer is essential to change: repentance.

Text for the Next Supporting Point.

Nehemiah 1:5–6 ESV

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, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned.

Genuine Repentance Begins with Worship.

As with the Lord's Prayer, the focus must begin with and be maintained with God.

There is more than rhetoric in this elaborate opening.

It deliberately postpones the cry for help, which could otherwise be faithless and rooted in self-pity.

It centers every word and thought toward heaven--where perspective will be right, and it reflects on the character of God.

When we authentically worship God, we begin to see the majesty and the greatness of God--and we see ourselves--imperfect, falling short, limited--much in need of God and His grace.

Isaiah 6:5 ESV

And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”

When we authentically worship God, we are recognizing that only God can deliver us from our circumstances.

Text for the Next Supporting Point.

Nehemiah 1:6 ESV

let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned.

Genuine Repentance Accepts Responsibility.

We live in a culture and a time that is quick to lay blame at everyone else.

So many become comfortable to blame everything and everyone else for our struggles and the guilt that consumes us.

Even when we "accept responsibility," we have a tendency of adding qualifiers: "I'm sorry, but..." or "I know I did wrong, however..."

Illustration: A ministry leader in a former church I pastored was accused of inappropriate activity with children--refused to accept responsibilities or the consequences of his actions.

We need to take responsibility for our transgressions against God without any qualifiers--without blaming others:

Psalm 32:5 ESV

I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

Text for the Next Supporting Point.

Nehemiah 1:7 ESV

We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses.

Genuine Repentance Confesses Wickedness.

No more hiding behind excuses and blaming others.

We confess clearly and identify our wrongs specifically.

Confession is not motivated by a desire for relief from guilt, but motivated by God's grace, His character, and our personal sorrow.

2 Corinthians 7:10 ESV

For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.

Text for the Next Supporting Point.

Nehemiah 1:8–9 ESV

Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’

Genuine Repentance Aligns with God's Word.

One of the greatest dangers in the church and among Christians is the willful minimization of God's Word.

Nehemiah is drawn to the Word of Truth--the all-sufficient rule of faith and conduct.

His prayer and his understanding of what to do is firmly nested in the words of God.

This is THE WAY we can know what to do and be equipped to do it.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 ESV

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

The Word of God is indispensible for staying on course with God.

Psalm 119:9 ESV

How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.

Worship Team enters the platform. (At the Cross--Love Ran Red)

Text for the Next Supporting Point.

Nehemiah 1:10–11 ESV

They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand. O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” Now I was cupbearer to the king.

Genuine Repentance Ushers in New Direction.

Genuine repentance, with God's forgiveness, ushers in transformation and spiritual directional change.

Nehemiah's heartfelt, faith-filled, Spirit-led prayer concluded where he began--with worship.

It is through the heart and activity of worship that clarity of God's plan unfolds.

With sin confessed and washed away--and with fresh alignment with God's word--the people of God were ready to experience the miracle of restoration, rebuilding, and revival.

Conclusion

For Nehemiah--the prayer was answered. Instead of looking at himself for the answers--he looked to God--and God provided. He provided direction, favor, protection, wisdom, courage--which all led to national revival.

What are you experiencing today that may be a great trouble or a shame? What are you facing today in your marriage? Your family? You?

Bitterness hasn't helped! Pride and your temper hasn't helped! Un-forgiveness hasn't helped! Ignoring the problem hasn't helped! Trying to work it out on your own hasn't helped! So, why not let God do something in you that you can't do yourself?

Invitation to those who need salvation.

Prayer teams forward.

Worship Team: Sing chorus "At the Cross--Love Ran Read"