1. Nehemiah Neh 1:1 (NLT) In late autumn of the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes' reign, I was at the fortress of Susa. 2 Hanani, one of my brothers, came to visit me with some other men who had just arrived from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had survived the captivity and about how things were going in Jerusalem. Nehemiah and Prayer

2. Nehemiah 3 They said to me, "Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been burned." 4 When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven. Nehemiah and Prayer

3. Nehemiah 5 Then I said, "O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands, 6 listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for your people Israel. I confess that we have sinned against you. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned! Nehemiah and Prayer

4. Nehemiah 7 We have sinned terribly by not obeying the commands, laws, and regulations that you gave us through your servant Moses. Nehemiah and Prayer

5. Nehemiah 8 "Please remember what you told your servant Moses: 'If you sin, I will scatter you among the nations. 9 But if you return to me and obey my commands, even if you are exiled to the ends of the earth, I will bring you back to the place I have chosen for my name to be honored.' Nehemiah and Prayer

6. Nehemiah 10 "We are your servants, the people you rescued by your great power and might. 11 O Lord, please hear my prayer! Listen to the prayers of those of us who delight in honoring you. Please grant me success now as I go to ask the king for a great favor. Put it into his heart to be kind to me." In those days I was the king's cup-bearer. Nehemiah and Prayer

7. Nehemiah PIF is done with a posture Nehemiah was a man broken before God (v 4) sat down and wept; mourned many days PIF recalls God’s character Lord God of heaven, O great and awesome God, You who keep Your covenant and (show) mercy Nehemiah and Prayer In Faith (PIF)

8. Nehemiah PIF recalls personal responsibility and accountability (1:5) with those who love You and observe Your commandments PIF recognizes God’s sovereignty—HE’S in charge (1:6) "please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now, Nehemiah and Prayer In Faith (PIF)

9. Nehemiah PIF is persistent (1:6) “day and night, for the children of Israel Your servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against You PIF takes personal and group accountability for sin and confesses it (1:6 cont) and confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against You. Both my father's house and I have sinned. 7 "We have acted very corruptly against You, and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, nor the ordinances which You commanded Your servant Moses. Nehemiah and Prayer In Faith (PIF)

10. Nehemiah PIF Reminds God of His… Word—and HIS promises Both the bad part—for accountability: v.8 And the good part—for blessing v.9 Work—His History Who we are v 10 "Now these are Your servants and Your people, What He has done v 10 “whom You have redeemed How He did it v10 by Your great power, and by Your strong hand.” Nehemiah and Prayer In Faith (PIF)

11. Nehemiah PIF is done alone v.11 "O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant (singular!), and with others v.11 …and to the prayer of Your servants (plural) likeminded: who desire to fear Your name; Nehemiah and Prayer In Faith (PIF)

12. Nehemiah PIF seeks solutions (both natural and supernatural) To use me and work through me! (v 11)“and let Your servant prosper this day, I pray, and …” To use and work through others, even if they are not believers--yet! (v 11)“grant him mercy in the sight of this man." Nehemiah and Prayer In Faith (PIF)