“I Pray Before Thee Now” – Nehemiah 1:1-11
The capacity to rise up is given by God’s grace, but we have to cooperate with Him by responding in faith.
Proverbs 24:16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: But the wicked shall fall into mischief.
Nehemiah 2:18 Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king’s words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work.
Luke 19:41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it.
Compassion is an essential ingredient in the life of anyone who hopes to “rise up.”
Jude 22 And of some have compassion, making a difference.
I. Turn Every Care Into A Prayer
Nehemiah 1:4-5 And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven, 5 And said, I beseech thee, O Lord God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments:
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
As one song writer put it, “Are we weak and heavy-laden, Cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge—Take it to the Lord in prayer.”
II. Be Humble When You
Nehemiah 1:6-7 Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father’s house have sinned. 7 We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses.
Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
III. Premise Your Prayer Upon A
Nehemiah 1:8-9 Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations: But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there.
John 16:23b Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
IV. Commit To Continue For
Nehemiah 1:11 O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king’s cupbearer.
Isaiah 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
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