A Pattern For Prayer

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