Nehemiah’s Prayer                                                    March 10, 2010

⁴ When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. 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, ⁶ let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father's house, have committed against you. ⁷ We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.

 ⁸ "Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, 'If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, ⁹ but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.'

 ¹⁰ "They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. ¹¹ O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man."
I was cupbearer to the king.                                                    Nehemiah 1:4-11

Why was Nehemiah so distressed?  The walls of Jerusalem had been torn down and his people were in great distress. They had broken their covenant with God, and hadn’t obeyed His commandments.  He believed if they confessed their sins and repented, God would keep his promise and redeem them by His great strength and mighty hand.

We are not unlike the Israelites of Nehemiah’s time.  When we sin we are apart from God and our walls of protection come down.  But we have an intercessor, Jesus Christ.  He died for our sins and by God’s grace and mercy all is forgiven.  God formed a new covenant with us through Jesus Christ, that: If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  1John 1:9

Father, You are a great God.  I thank you for the new covenant made through your son Jesus Christ. I confess that I am like the Israelites, I have acted very wickedly toward you. I have not obeyed your commands, decrees and laws.  My sin has torn down the walls that you have put in place to protect me and keep me in your favor. I am in disgrace.  Forgive me and build up my walls again.  Redeem me by your strength and mercy.  In Jesus’ precious name,

Amen

Dan Vagle