Nehemiah 1 Prayer meeting Guide

 

Nehemiah’s Prayer

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, 2Hanani, 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. 3They 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.” 4When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. 5Then I said:
Nehemiah’s prayer 5“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, 6let 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 ancestral family, have committed against you. 7We 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, 9but 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. 11Lord, 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.”		Our Prayer 1. Focus on who God is and what He has done for you (vs. 5-6). Nehemiah doesn’t focus on his problems or his fellowship’s problems. But he starts with God. Who he is and what he is like. 2. Confess what your fellowship is like (vs. 6-7).  Nehemiah focuses on his tribe, his people – the Israelites in exile. Focus on your fellowship. As a group how have you behaved towards God? What group sins must you confess? 3. Remember God’s Words and promises (vs. 8-9).  Take this time to share verses of the Bible that apply to your group or the issues of your group. This can be done in prayer or say amen and share with each other. 4.  Lay your requests before God (vs 10-11) Nehemiah humbly lays his requests before God. He doesn’t tell God what to do but asks for success in what he faces. Let us do the same.