WEEK 2 THE LEADER’S PRAYER LIFE Lessons on Leadership From the Book of Nehemiah

Ezekiel 22:30 (LB) "I (God) looked in vain for anyone who would build again the wall of righteousness that guards the land, who could stand in the gap... but I found not one."

Leadership Tip: The effectiveness of my public leadership is determined by my private life.

Three questions: 1. When should I pray? 2. Why should I pray? 3. How should I pray?

WHEN SHOULD I PRAY? ANSWER: Before doing anything else v. 4 “When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.”

“Leaders make prayer a first priority; losers make prayer a last resort.”

WHY SHOULD I PRAY? 1. It shows I am depending on God.. John 15:5 “Apart from me you can do nothing.”

WHY SHOULD I PRAY? 2. It lightens my load.. Isaiah 40:31 "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

WHY SHOULD I PRAY? 3. It releases God’s power.. Jeremiah 33:3 God says, "Call to me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things which you know not."

HOW SHOULD I PRAY? Key questions: Why should God answer my prayer? Why should I ask God to answer this prayer?.. give God a reason to answer your prayer.

4 Keys to Nehemiah’s answered prayers: 1. Base my request on God's character Verse 5 "O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps His covenant of love with those who love Him and obey His command."

Nehemiah said three things about God: 1. You're great -- that's God's position. 2. You're awesome -- that shows His power. 3. You keep your promises -- God's covenant.

4 Keys to Nehemiah’s answered prayers: 2. Confess the sin in my life. v. 6b "Let your ear be attentive and your eyes be opened to 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 father's house committed against you. We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands and the decrees and the laws you gave your servant Moses."

2. Confess the sin in my life... Leaders accept the blame but losers pass the buck.

4 Keys to Nehemiah’s answered prayers: 3. Claim the promises of God... v. 8-9 Remember the instructions you gave to your servant Moses saying `If you are unfaithful I will scatter you among the nations. But 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 they's chosen.. in my name."

The strength of my prayer life is determined or dependent by how well I know the promises of God.

4 Keys to Nehemiah’s answered prayers: 4. Be very specific in what I ask for. v. 10 "They are your servants, your people, whom you've redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. O Lord, 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."

“Expect great things from God; do great things for God.” -William Carey, founder of Modern Missionary Movement

The type of prayer God answers from Nehemiah’s Example: 1. It's a prayer of conviction. 2. It's a prayer of confession. 3. It's a prayer of confidence. 4. It's a prayer of commitment.

NEXT WEEK: "What do you do after you've prayed?" I've prayed, I've been praying about the situation. What do I do next? A leader does more than pray but he doesn't do anything until he prays.