POTB - Prayers of Nehemiah pt 2

Introduction:

Remember last time we talked Nehemiah had gone into King Artexerxes and with prayer had been given permission to go and build the walls of Jerusalem.

Nehemiah and the people had a mind to work, but the wall was only half built according to at this time.

Sanballat and Tobiah heard of the progress and troubled the Jews.

“Sanballat knew that a restored Jerusalem would lessen his influence in the area. Thus he was greatly angered and intent on discouraging Nehemiah’s project, even though he knew that it had the approval of the Persian court.” New American Commentary - Volume 10: Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther.

Sanballat and Tobiah - mocked them - used psychological warfare on the “feeble Jews” ()

Ridicule- “often sufficient to stifle the spirit and work of anyone.

But the “feeble Jews” had a strength that became perfect in their “feebleness” or weakness - and Nehemiah knew the source of that strength.

Nehemiah prays: “Hear, O our God; for we are despised: and turn their reproach upon their own head, and give them for a prey in the land of captivity: And cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before thee: for they have provoked thee to anger before the builders.” (, KJV 1900)

And in that strength Nehemiah and the people who had a “mind to work” kept on building.

A group of trouble makers - Sanballat, Tobiah, The Arabians, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites got mad that progress was being made and began to hinder them.

That is when - - A group of trouble makers - Sanballat, Tobiah, The Arabians, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites (Philistines) got mad that progress was being made and began to hinder them.

This seems to be a principle of spiritual progress - when progress begins to be made, the enemy gets stirred and angry and begins to fight and hinder.

Nehemiah used a strategy that I think helps us today the strategy of Prayer with action

Prayer With Action:

Prayer and fight -

“And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses. And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work.” (, KJV 1900)

I want us to add action to our prayers.

No I don’t think we need to get swords and buy up tons of guns and ammo - But I do think we need to be standing our guard -

fighting for our families

against he onslaught of fear and panic of our day

Against the worldly culture that would pull us away from our purpose to live Godly and bring glory to God by our living

Against those that oppose and want to destroy the building of the Kingdom.

As we close in prayer tonight - lets also ask for direction and guidance as to actions we can pursue as well to conquer in the fight.

That might sound like:

Signing petitions for godly causes

Protesting in a loving and godly manner the abortion and sex industries that are tearing this country and city apart.

Praying away the drug and alcohol addiction from those who are bound by it.

Or maybe God has some other trowel and sword for you to pick up and work and fight with.

Whatever it is - pray and fight -