1. Nehemiah 1:4 --> when he learned that the wall of Jerusalem was broken down, he sat down and wept. His action shows a genuine concern and passion for the people of God.
2. Alistair Begg broke down component of prayer into ACTS (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication)
Adoration - Nehemiah 1:5
Confession - Nehemiah 1:6 - he confessed sins committed as a nation
Thanksgiving - I don't remember which part of the prayer he used to explain this point
Supplication - Nehemiah 1:11 --> Before the talked to the king, he prayed before the Lord to give him success by granting him favor in the presence of the king. He KNOWS that God is at work in all situation, therefore he asks God to be at work to grant him favor. When we don't have this concept, we will be constantly at our feet trying to move people around instead of on our knees praying to God to be at work.
3. About 4 months later (chapter 2) he looked sad in front of the king. See verse 1 "I had not been sad in his presence before". Nehemiah does his job Joyfully, Prayerfully, and Thankfully. But that day, his sad face made the king asked him the question.
4. ch2v2b "I was very much afraid". Prayer does not always eliminate fear, but it definitely prepares us to move in the right direction.
5. ch2v3b "May the king love forever!" Before he answered the king's question, he properly addressed the king with respect. Sometimes we just forgot to give respect to whom they are due.
6. ch2v4. Nehemiah again prayed to the Lord before answering the king's question "what is it that you want".
7. ch2v7 Nehemiah also asked the king to write him letters for governors and people in power to ease his journey. His prayers for 4 months had made Nehemiah sensible about the details of the needs, hence made it practical to rebuild Jerusalem. We are more often prayed on the spot and our God of mercy answered and helped us instantaneously. Having spend time in prayer for 4 months, however, had better equipped Nehemiah to make a right respond in front of the King.
I think that's all I learned this week (actually I might have learned more, but it will be too confusing to be listed out in writing). I apologize if my writing is too confusing for you to read. I hope I convinced you enough to go to Truth for Life website and listen to the message on your own.
As for what God is doing in my life this year, He had been reminding me to fall on my knees more often.
- I've been spending a lot of time with Max lately. What a prayer warrior he will become....hahaha.....Max lovessss to pray. As we were dining, there will be occasion where Max would bow down in prayer.
- I had a smallgroup meeting with Ko Chris and Tom this morning, and as we were discussing action plans God put in my heart that I need to be praying more (especially because there are not much us humans can do without God's intervention).
- As I ponder about Nehemiah's concern for Jerusalem, I ponder about my concern and involvement in the church building commitment. I am reminded to pray more diligently for our church.
I know it was not a coincidence that last Friday ci Santi was sharing a message about prayer too. God knows I've been having difficulties in my prayer life and he provided me with resources to get started in a more solid prayer life.
Would you care to join with me and hold me accountable?
in Christ,
Fonda
me toooo.... hold me accountable as well :)
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