Introduction

Good morning, Church family! Today, we're turning our attention to the book of Nehemiah, specifically, chapter 4, verses 1-23. Our focus will be on the need for prayer for our families, the enemies ready to attack our families, and the power of praying for our families.

As Dwight L. Moody once said, "I believe the family was established long before the church, and my duty is to my family first. I am not to neglect my family." Let's dive into this truth together.

The Scripture passage reads as follows:

[Read passage]

Let's pray:

Dear Heavenly Father, as we delve into Your word today, we ask for open hearts and clear minds to understand the lessons You have for us. We pray that You help us to better protect and pray for our families, recognizing the power that comes from seeking Your face together. Guide us to be vigilant in prayer and in action, just as Nehemiah and his people were. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.

Alright, let's get to it.

The Need for Prayer

In this day and age, the need for prayer for our families cannot be overstated. As we navigate through the complexities of life, the power of prayer becomes our guiding light, our source of strength, and our shield against the adversities that threaten to disrupt the harmony of our families. The story of Nehemiah rebuilding the wall, despite the ridicule and threats from his enemies, is a powerful illustration of this truth.

Nehemiah's prayer: This prayer was not a one-time act, but a continuous conversation with God, a constant seeking of His guidance and protection. This is a lesson for us today. Our prayers for our families should not be limited to times of crisis or need. Instead, they should be a regular part of our daily lives, a continuous dialogue with our Heavenly Father, seeking His guidance, wisdom, and protection for our families.

Prayer: It’s the lifeline that connects us to God. It is through prayer that we invite God into our families, into our homes, and into our lives. When we pray, we acknowledge our dependence on God, recognizing that it is He who provides for our needs, guides our steps, and protects us from harm. Prayer is a powerful tool that God has given us to communicate with Him, to express our fears, our hopes, our joys, and our sorrows.

A demonstration of our faith in God: When we pray, we express our trust in God's ability to provide for our needs, to guide our steps, and to protect us from harm. We acknowledge that God is in control, that He is sovereign over all things, and that He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.

A means of spiritual warfare: In the face of ridicule and threats from his enemies, Nehemiah did not resort to physical violence or retaliation. Instead, he turned to prayer, seeking God's protection and guidance. This is a powerful lesson for us today. In a world where our families are under constant attack from various sources - be it societal pressures, moral decay, or spiritual warfare - prayer serves as our first line of defense. It is through prayer that we can seek God's protection, guidance, and wisdom to navigate through these challenges.

Fosters unity within the family: When we pray together as a family, we are united in our dependence on God, in our faith in His ability to provide, guide, and protect, and in our desire to seek His will for our lives. Prayer brings us closer together as a family, fostering a sense of unity, love, and mutual respect.

The Enemies Ready to Attack

In the passage we read, we see that Nehemiah and his people were not just building a wall; they were facing opposition, ridicule, and threats from their enemies ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO