Introduction

Good morning, dear brothers and sisters in Christ. It is such a blessing to gather together in this sacred place, to share in fellowship, to lift our voices in song, and to open our hearts to the Word of God. We are here, not by accident, but by divine appointment. For God has a message for us today. A message that will challenge us, inspire us, and draw us closer to Him.

Our focus today is on an extraordinary man of faith, Nehemiah. His story, as told in the book that bears his name, is a powerful testament to the power of prayer. It's a story that reminds us that prayer is not a last resort, but a first response. It's not an obligation, but an opportunity. It's not a duty, but a delight.

Let's read together Nehemiah 1:1-11 [read text].

What a powerful prayer! Nehemiah's heart was heavy with the burden of his people's plight, but he knew where to turn. He turned to God in prayer. He was honest about his feelings, he confessed his sins, he remembered God's promises, and he asked for help. This is the kind of prayer that moves mountains, that changes circumstances, that brings about progress.

The great preacher Charles Spurgeon once said, "Prayer moves the arm that moves the world." Nehemiah knew this truth. He lived it. And so can we.

Let's begin with a prayer today, shall we? Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for this opportunity to gather together in Your name. We thank you for Your Word that guides us, for Your Spirit that comforts us, and for Your Son who saves us. As we study the life of Nehemiah today, help us to learn from his example. Teach us to be people of prayer, to seek You first in all things, to confess our sins, to remember Your promises, and to ask for Your help. We ask this in the name of Jesus, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Prayer as the Pathway to Progress

When we look at Nehemiah's story, we see a man who understood the importance of prayer in moving forward. He didn't just sit back and accept the state of things. He didn't wallow in despair. Instead, he turned to God in prayer. He brought his concerns, his fears, his hopes, and his plans before God. And it was through this prayer that he found the strength and the direction to make progress.

Nehemiah's prayer was a deep, heartfelt plea to God. He was in a position of influence as the king's cupbearer, but he didn't rely on his own abilities or connections. He relied on God. He knew that true progress, lasting progress, comes from God. And so he prayed.

In his prayer, Nehemiah was honest about the situation. He didn't sugarcoat it. He laid it all out before God. He acknowledged the trouble and disgrace that his people were in. He acknowledged the brokenness of the city's walls and gates. But he didn't stop there. He didn't just focus on the problems. He also focused on the solution. He knew that God was the solution.

Nehemiah also didn't just ask God to fix the problems. He asked God to use him to fix the problems. He asked for success. He asked for favor. He was willing to be part of the solution. He was willing to do whatever it took to bring about progress. And he knew that the first step was prayer.

Nehemiah next confessed his sins and the sins of his people. He acknowledged their failures and their shortcomings. He didn't try to justify them or excuse them. He confessed them. He understood that sin is a barrier to progress. It hinders our relationship with God and our ability to move forward. And so he confessed his sins and asked for forgiveness.

Finally, Nehemiah remembered God's promises. He remembered God's faithfulness, love, mercy, power, and strength. And he held onto that promise. He trusted in that promise. And it gave him hope. It gave him courage. It gave him the determination to move forward.

So, what can we learn from Nehemiah's prayer? We can learn that prayer is not just about asking God for things. It's about seeking God's will. It's about aligning our hearts with God's heart. It's about confessing our sins and remembering God's promises. It's about asking God to use us to bring about progress.

Also, we can also learn that progress requires hard work and sacrifice. It requires perseverance. But with God, it is possible. With God, we can overcome obstacles. With God, we can make a difference. With God, we can move forward.

So let's be like Nehemiah. Let's be people of prayer. Let's seek God's will. Let's confess our sins. Let's remember God's promises. Let's ask God to use us. And let's trust in God's power and faithfulness. Because with God, we can make progress. With God, we can bring about change. With God, we can rebuild the broken walls and gates in our lives and in our world.

Transition. And let's remember that prayer is not just something we do. It's a way of life. It's a way of relating to God. It's a way of making progress. So let's make prayer a priority. Let's make it a daily habit. Let's make it a part of who we are. Because prayer is the pathway to progress. And with God, all things are possible.

Purification through Prayer

As we continue to reflect on Nehemiah's prayer, we are drawn to the theme of purification ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO