1. Prayers that Change the World Nehemiah 1:4-11

2. “18 Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him. 19 O people in Zion, inhabitant in Jerusalem, you will weep no longer. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when He hears it, He will answer you” (Isaiah 30:18-19). Prayers that Change the World

3. God implants the most powerful weapon in our hands. Prayer Survey: Do not pray to the real God Do not pray in Jesus’ Name Seeking to indulge themselves Casual prayers (Doesn’t matter) Hope their prayer works (not much faith) Not sure of God’s will

4. ✤B✤Because we grieve, we mournfully pray (1:4) ✤B✤Because we hope, we worshipfully ask (1:5) ✤B✤Because we sinned, we humbly confess (1:6-7) ✤B✤Because we believe, we persistently intercede (1:8-11) What kind of prayers are needed to change the world? Nehemiah 1:4-11

5. Because we grieve, we mournfully pray (1:4) “Now it came about when I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven” (Nehemiah 1:4). ✦ See as God sees (Luke 19:41) ✦ Grieve as God grievesBecome personally involvedFast and pray seeking God’s intervention Prayer

6. Because we grieve, we mournfully pray (1:4) ✦ How is your relationship with God? Are you concerned about His will and purposes? What if God wanted to use you in some special way? ✦ Are you afraid of God’s work in your life? Reflections You & God

7. Because we hope, we worshipfully ask (1:5) ✦ God’s change agents know God ✦ “I guess we can’t do it” ✦ “God, you can do it!” “And I said, “I beseech Thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who preserves the covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments” (Nehemiah 1:5). Our theology shapes our hope.

8. Because we sinned, we humbly confess (1:6-7) “6 Let Thine ear now be attentive and Thine eyes open to hear the prayer of Thy servant which I am praying before Thee now, day and night, on behalf of the sons of Israel Thy servants, confessing the sins of the sons of Israel which we have sinned against Thee; I and my father’s house have sinned. 7 We have acted very corruptly against Thee and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the ordinances which Thou didst command Thy servant Moses.” (Nehemiah 1:6-7).

9. ✦ (1) He asked God to hear His prayer. “Let Thine ear now be attentive” 1:6(2) He told God he was not being selfish but interceding on the behalf of others. “Praying before Thee now, day and night, on behalf of the sons of Israel” 1:6(3) He confessed the sins of God’s people. ”We have acted very corruptly against Thee” 1:7 Because we sinned, we humbly confess (1:6-7)

10. Corporate Prayer National identify Also church identity Family identity Reflections: Do confess our sins before God? ✦ On behalf of the sons of Israel Thy servants, confessing the sins of the sons of Israel which we have sinned against Thee; I and my father’s house have sinned.

11. Because we believe, we persistently intercede (1:8-11) Text “8 Remember the word which Thou didst command Thy servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful I will scatter you among the peoples; 9 but if you return to Me and keep My commandments and do them, though those of you who have been scattered were in the most remote part of the heavens, I will gather them from there and will bring them to the place where I have chosen to cause My name to dwell.’ 10 “And they are Thy servants and Thy people whom Thou didst redeem by Thy great power and by Thy strong hand. 11 “O Lord, I beseech Thee, may Thine ear be attentive to the prayer of Thy servant and the prayer of Thy servants who delight to revere Thy name, and make Thy servant successful today, and grant him compassion before this man.” Now I was the cupbearer to the king.” (Nehemiah 1:8-11).

12. ✦N✦N ehemiah’s insistence “Remember the word....” 1:8Nehemiah’s confidence “Which Thou didst command Thy servant Moses” 1:8 Because we believe, we persistently intercede (1:8-11)

13. Leviticus 6:38-42 38 ‘But you will perish among the nations, and your enemies’ land will consume you. 39 ‘So those of you who may be left will rot away because of their iniquity in the lands of your enemies; and also because of the iniquities of their forefathers they will rot away with them. 40 ‘If they confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their forefathers, in their unfaithfulness which they committed against Me, and also in their acting with hostility against Me- 42 then I will remember My covenant with Jacob, and I will remember also My covenant with Isaac, and My covenant with Abraham as well, and I will remember the land. Rejection Confession Restoration Things not going your way? Solutions are not difficult, only humbling God is waiting our return

14. ✦ Nehemiah’s insistenceNehemiah’s confidence ✦ Significance of Nehemiah’s prayer “Though those of you who have been scattered were in the most remote part of the heavens, I will gather them” 1:9 Because we believe, we persistently intercede (1:8-11) GOD CARRIES HIS WILL OUT THROUGH OUR LIVES!

15. ✤ Because we grieve, we mournfully pray (1:4) ✤ Because we hope, we worshipfully ask (1:5) ✤ Because we sinned, we humbly confess (1:6-7) ✤ Because we believe, we persistently intercede (1:8-11) What kind of prayers are needed to change the world?

16. What changed your life? A prayer. Do you want to bear more fruit? Sure, sounds good What will it take? Want to start a church? God did. Then I did. Course on church planting Prayed it into existence Tested but endured

17. Because we prayed! A church came into being!

18. ‣ Ask God to see what He sees ‣ Pray as God opens your eyes ‣ Be involved in confessing the sin around you ‣ Be willing to participate as needed God wants to use your prayers! Life-changing prayers

19. Prayers that Change the World Nehemiah 1:4-11