Summary of His Prayer: Recognized God’s holiness. Asked for a hearing. Confessed sin. Asked for specific help in approaching the king
What Prayer Accomplished: Included God in Nehemiah’s plans and concerns. Prepared Nehemiah’s heart and gave God room to work
Our Prayers: How often do you pour out your heart to God? How often do you give him a specific request to answer?
Summary of His Prayer: “Here’s where you can help, God!”
What Prayer Accomplished: Put the expected results in God’s hands
Our Prayers: Giving God credit for what happens before it happens keeps us from taking more credit than we should.
Summary of His Prayer: “They’re mocking you, God. You decide what to do with them.”
What Prayer Accomplished: Expressed anger to God, but Nehemiah did not take matters into his own hands
Our Prayers: We are prone to do exactly the opposite—take matters into our hands and not tell God how we feel.
Summary of His Prayer: “We are in your hands, God. We’ll keep our weapons handy in case you want us to use them.”
What Prayer Accomplished: Showed trust in God even while taking necessary precautions
Our Prayers: Trusting God does not mean we do nothing. Action does not mean we do not trust.
Summary of His Prayer: “O Lord God, please strengthen me!”
What Prayer Accomplished: Showed Nehemiah’s reliance on God for emotional and mental stability
Our Prayers: How often do you ask God for help when under pressure?
Summary of His Prayer: Asked God to deal with the enemies and their evil plans
What Prayer Accomplished: Took away the compulsion to get revenge, and entrusted justice to God
Our Prayers: When did you last settle a desire for revenge by turning the matter over to God?
Summary of His Prayer: “Remember me, God.”
What Prayer Accomplished: Kept clear in Nehemiah’s mind his own motives for action
Our Prayers: How many of your actions today will be done with the purpose of pleasing God?