A Prayer
When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.
Then I said:
"O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands,
let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear 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, have committed against you.
We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.
"Remember the instruction you gave 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 I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.'
"They are your servants and your people, whom you 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." Nehemiah 1:5-10 (NIV)
JW's thoughts:
Recognize the decay.
Release the burden (of hurt, pain, sin, unbelief).
Pray with praise, thanksgiving, with sorrow.
God will hear. I promise.
Then I said:
"O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands,
let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear 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, have committed against you.
We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.
"Remember the instruction you gave 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 I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.'
"They are your servants and your people, whom you 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." Nehemiah 1:5-10 (NIV)
JW's thoughts:
Recognize the decay.
Release the burden (of hurt, pain, sin, unbelief).
Pray with praise, thanksgiving, with sorrow.
God will hear. I promise.
Comments
Elizabeth
Blessings
Betty xx
We are discussing Oikos at our church (your sphere of influence) and how we should be broken if we have failed to pray earnestly for salvation of the unsaved.
This scripture reminds me of that broken-hearted state that is so countercultural.
Thank you.
Patti
He does hear. Just sometimes he may not answer right away or in a way we wanted. But he does hear our prayers and knows what's in our hearts.