Nehemiah - Part 3 Member

NEHEMIAH – PART 3

THE PRAYER LIFE I.

YOUNG ADULT CELLS NOV 2005 WEEK 4

OF

NEHEMIAH

Introduction Prayer is one of the overriding themes of the book of Nehemiah and the secret of his success. It begins with prayer in Persia in chapter 1 and closes in prayer in Jerusalem in chapter 13. The prayer in chapter one is the first of 12 different prayers recorded in the book. It is exciting to know that Nehemiah not only record how he pray but what he prayed. There are prayers of adoration, thanksgiving, confession, petition as well as prayers of anguish, joy, protection, dependence and commitment. Nehemiah is a story of compassionate, persistent, personal and corporate prayer.

Member’s Notes Learning Outcomes: Understanding, Behaviour Objective: At the end of this lesson, you will be able to: • Recite three aspects of prayer in Nehemiah’s life. • Implement one practical action to enhance your prayer’s life. • Experience praying together as a cell group.

Prayer gives Nehemiah perspective, it widens his horizons, sharpen his vision and dwarfs his anxieties. Nehemiah’s public life was the outflow of his personal life, which was steeped in and shaped by a lifestyle of prayer. Discussion: By looking at the content of his prayer in Neh 1:4-11, can you list down some spiritual truths or lessons that you can learn?

Today, we want to discuss 3 aspects of prayer from Nehemiah’s life.

Member’s Notes page 1 of 5

NEHEMIAH – PART 3

YOUNG ADULT CELLS NOV 2005 WEEK 4

ii. T h e P r i o r i t y o f P r a y e r

When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Neh 1:4 But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat. Neh 4:9

When Nehemiah heard about the desolation of Jerusalem, the first thing that he did was to mourn, fast and pray. When faced with opposition, Nehemiah prayed before taking any course of action. What do Neh 1:4 and 4:9 tell us about Nehemiah’s prayer life? How does that compared with your personal prayer life?

Prayer is liken to our spiritual breath, without with we will die spiritually. Yet many Christians tread a life of prayerlessness. Why do you think this happens?

Do you have a prayer partner? Is there someone whom you can regularly pray with?

What are some ways we can encourage each others to grow in our prayer life?

Member’s Notes page 2 of 5

NEHEMIAH – PART 3

YOUNG ADULT CELLS NOV 2005 WEEK 4

iii. T h e P l e a s u r e o f P r a y e r

The king said to me, "What is it you want?" Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, "If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my fathers are buried so that I can rebuild it." Neh 2:4-5 Then I said: "O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, Neh 1:5

Nehemiah was praying fervently for more than a 100 days before an opportunity arose for him to make his request to the King. At that moment, he uttered a quick prayer to the Lord when asked to give an account for his sadness or face execution. (Neh 2:4-5) In his prayers, how does Nehemiah address God? What does that tell us about his perspective of God. (compare with Neh 1:5)

Prayer can be enjoyable. Do you agree? Why and why not?

Prayer is about cultivating the presence of God in our life. What are some practical ways to help us cultivate the presence of God?

Between one breath and another, Nehemiah was in the audience chamber of God. This quick petition illustrates at least 5 practical lessons for us regarding prayer. Can you list some of them?

Member’s Notes page 3 of 5

NEHEMIAH – PART 3

YOUNG ADULT CELLS NOV 2005 WEEK 4

iv. T h e P o w e r o f P r a y e r Nehemiah was successful in rebuilding the wall because of his prayer life. God not only grant him favour but provide timbers from the King’s forest for him. When faced with opposition, Nehemiah prayed and God deliver him from his adversaries. (Neh 2:7-9, 6:15-16) Do you think Nehemiah would be able to accomplish all he did if he had not prayed? Why and why not?

I also said to him, "If it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors of TransEuphrates, so that they will provide me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah? And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the king's forest, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?" And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests. So I went to the governors of TransEuphrates and gave them the king's letters. The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me. Neh 2:7-9 So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God. Neh 6:15-16

Why do you think God choose to work through prayers of his people?

“Prayer is not just for accomplishing the work of God, but characterizing the man of God”. Do you agree with the above statement? What do you think goes into the process of prayer?

Have you experience the power of prayer before? Do you have a testimony to share in which God miraculously answered your prayer?

Member’s Notes page 4 of 5

NEHEMIAH – PART 3

YOUNG ADULT CELLS NOV 2005 WEEK 4

v. C o n c l u s i o n 1.

Spend a few minutes to review through the lesson. Write down 3 things that you have learnt in this lesson.

2.

Write down ONE action step that you can take in the next 7 days to enhance your prayer’s life.

3.

Spend some time to pray together as a cell.

0.5

Member’s Notes page 5 of 5