PLANS FROM HIS PRESENCE!
Nehemiah 1:4”And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven.”
“The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, 'O God, forgive me,' or 'Help me.'” Billy Graham
I want to talk about Nehemiah who stunningly takes off with the mega project of building the burnt walls of Jerusalem amidst severe oppositions, criticism and hurdles; he arises to do so FROM the presence of God. Did you read that? From the presence of God! Yes, read the above scripture again: Nehemiah sat down, wept, mourned certain days, fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Are you listening to me?
Prayer of Nehemiah: Now, let us start with the prayer of Nehemiah, it was not a fleeting prayer but a faithful and passionate prayer, looks what he says:” Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night..” He prayed ceaselessly! Imagine praying in the midst of ruins! Life can feel dreary and onerous, particularly when are things are grim around you; however, prayer is the ONLY remedy out of this! We need prayer warriors like Nehemiah who would pray day and night until they hear from heaven! Today we say prayers like fast-food that lasts for two minutes! If anyone prays for ten minutes then that would be long! Alas! How less we pray and how much we expect!!!!! No wonder, heaven remains shut and we live in drought because we have forgotten to pray! We prefer to stand in front of the doctor’s clinic for five hours to just get an appointment rather than spend quality time with God in prayer! Apostle Paul tells us: (1 Thessalonians 5:17) ”pray without ceasing!”
Confession: Revival starts with conviction of sins, followed by confession, that should end with consecration! The sincere confession of Nehemiah is truly touching, he said:”….even I and my father's house have sinned. We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments..”(Nehemiah 1:6,7) He reminds God of His promises: “Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses..”(v 8) His passionate prayer reached the throne room of Heaven and God unravels His plans for Nehemiah.
Doors open: When you walk out from the presence of God, His grace would shield you and favor flows. I repeat favor flows! Nehemiah did not have to do 100 salutes to the king, but the king himself asks him” what are you requesting?” (Nehemiah 2:4) Again Nehemiah prays and then places his project before the king: ” "If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' graves, that I may rebuild it." There, it was said! When you have started your project from His Presence with lots and lots of prayer, then you don’t have to worry for the results. Favor would flow!
