A PATTERN FOR PRAYER
Text: Nehemiah 1:1 – 11
I. Introduction:
• Background on book of Nehemiah
• Need: get king’s approval to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem for safety
• Plan of action: pray
• All of us fall short in prayer
• Excuses: too busy, don’t know how
• Let’s look at his example of how to pray
II. Body:
A. Acknowledge God’s Greatness (v. 5)
• Best way to get someone’s attention is to brag on them
• Thank Him for what He’s done
• Praise Him for who He is
• Start off each prayer thanking or praising God about one thing
B. Confess Your Sinfulness (vv. 6, 7)
• Realize that God knows about sin in your life (Adam and Eve hid)
• Sin will hinder your prayers (Isaiah 59:1, 2)
• Nehemiah also confessed the sins of the nation
• Confession should lead to repentance
• Ask God to forgive and cleanse every time you pray
C. Claim God’s Promises (vv. 8, 9)
• Deuteronomy 4:25 – 31
• Temptation – always provide a way of escape
• Trials – never leave nor forsake
• Decision – if acknowledge in all my ways, direct my paths
• Help – do all things through Christ
D. Ask for God’s Help (v. 11)
• Ask for yourself
• Ask for others
• Ask specifically
• Ask according to God’s will (James 4:2, 3)
• Ask in faith (James 1:5 – 7)
o If you pray for rain, bring an umbrella
III. Conclusion:
• Abraham Lincoln: “I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom and that of those around me seemed insufficient for the day”
• Don’t put off prayer till last like Lincoln; it was Nehemiah’s 1st option
• God wants to answer your prayers (Ephesians 3:20)
• Unsaved – you need to pray the sinner’s prayer
