The Nehemiah Story – Part Four
The Prayer

Nehemiah was serving in the Kings palace, far away from Jerusalem, but he had a burden to rebuild Jerusalem. It appears that Nehemiah was a righteous man, but he recognized where his ‘power’ came from. King Artaxerxes was powerful, and Nehemiah would need his help, but he knew that the real power can from God.

Nehemiah communicated with God, the same way we do – with prayer. Jesus gave us a ‘model’ prayer, but Nehemiah’s prayer could be the model prayer for missionaries.

First, he (and we) have to acknowledge before God that He is ‘great and awesome.’ See Nehemiah 1:5
Next, he asked God to ‘hear’ his prayer (and we do to). Then, he confessed his sins to Him and the sins of his entire family! (I have to confess that I have not confessed to God the sins of my family). See Nehemiah 1:6

One of the goals of EGTMInc’s Praying the Darkness Away ministry is to make sure that the ministry, the missionaries and the projects are covered with prayer. (Starting in January 2009 a monthly Prayer Guide will be introduced.)
Nehemiah then reminded God of His covenant with Moses. Even though the Jewish people were scattered, Nehemiah reminded God that they would be together again, when they ‘returned to Him and obeyed His commands. Even though he didn’t say it, Nehemiah knew that unless he rebuilt Jerusalem, those in exile wouldn’t have a place to return to. See Nehemiah 1:7

In Opal, Wyoming, the Christians and the lost that God was calling, didn’t have a ‘place to come to.’ That is why He opened the ‘floodgates of Heaven’ and provided all the people and materials necessary to establish a Bible believing, Bible teaching church in this small town.

Nehemiah knew that “with God all things are possible,” but he would need earthly blessings and earthly ‘hands and feet.’ In the final sentence of his prayer, he asked God to soften King Artaxerxes heart. See Nehemiah 1:11
In the next Newsletter, you will learn about Nehemiah “Pleading His Case.”