Category: PRAYER

Nehemiah 4: Overcoming Adversity through Prayer

We stand tallest and strongest on our knees

Nehemiah 4 records a critical part of the game which can turn on the head of a dime. The completion of the massive project of rebuilding the walls around the city of Jerusalem is close to 50%. Work has progressed at least twenty days and the results are phenomenal. Concurrently, tons of debris are disposed of while walls are going up. Chapter 3 mentions the words “next to” 16 times. This is a massive joint effort from relative strangers working next to each other after returning from years in exile. And just when victory is rising on the horizon, the enemy shows up in full battle gear.

A PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SPIRITUAL ATTACK

Sanballat is Nehemiah’s nemesis. The powerful Persian-appointed governor of Samaria appears loudly on the scene. Sanballat furiously opposes rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls. A strong Jerusalem is a major threat to his powerbase. He pulls every trick in the book, including mockery, threats, and plots to disrupt the Jewish workers.  The enemy launches a powerful psychological and spiritual attack.

WORDS FROM THE PIT OF HELL

Enraged and furious, Sanballat publicly ridicules the Jews. “What does this bunch of poor, feeble Jews think they’re doing? Do they think they can build the wall in a single day by just offering a few sacrifices? Do they actually think they can make something of stones from a rubbish heap—and charred ones at that?” Sidekick Tobiah gleefully adds, “That stone wall would collapse if even a fox walked along the top of it!”. Words penned from the pit of hell.

WE STAND STRONGEST ON OUR KNEES

How does Nehemiah respond? He immediately runs to God. Nehemiah realizes that this battle is not his; it is God’s. Only God can handle Satan. Charles Stanley notes, “We stand tallest and strongest on our knees.”

God responds by giving the Jews new vigor. “At last the wall was completed to half its height around the entire city, for the people worked with enthusiasm.” End of drama? No! Sanballat and company “all made plans to come and fight against Jerusalem and throw us into confusion.” The enemy loves to frighten and confuse us.

NO HOPE OF ANYTHING GETTING BETTER

Notice the response from the Jewish people this time: “But WE prayed to our God and guarded the city day and night to protect ourselves.” Prayer catches on at a crucial moment as a blanket of discouragement settles down on Jerusalem’s exhausted workers. “Then the people of Judah began to complain, ‘The workers are getting tired, and there is so much rubble to be moved. We will never be able to build the wall by ourselves.’.. The Jews who lived near the enemy came and told us again and again, ‘They will come from all directions and attack us!’” Sounds like the hopeless worldview of Winnie the Pooh’s friend Eeyore: “End of the road. Nothing to do. And no hope of things getting better.” Satan prepares for a victory lap.

WHEN VICTORY BLOSSOMS

The workers only see obstacles rather than the goal. This is the moment when God can shine the greatest. Yes, they will never be able to build the wall by themselves. Victory blossoms when we come to an end of ourselves, our own strengths, talents and abilities and admit it to God. Satan doesn’t like to hear when we totally submit to God. God’s angels begin running a victory lap.

REMEMBER WHO GOD IS

Nehemiah looks over the situation, calls together the nobles and the rest of the people and says, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!” In other words, REMEMBER! REMEMBER WHO GOD IS!!!!!! These are the words that strike fear in the evil one’s heart.

The Jewish people at that point throw their lot totally into the hands of God. Instead of wringing their hands, they “work early and late, from sunrise to sunset. And half the men are always on guard.” Can you imagine the new attitude and words of encouragement coming out of the mouths of God’s people?

The enemy retreats back to the shadows when we intentionally adjust our attitudes. “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious!” “We stand tallest and strongest on our knees.”

How to Support Loved Ones Through Prayer

How am I to respond to all this sorrow? I don’t know what to do except take each situation to Jesus.

Last week was a tough one. My heart felt heavier than normal all week. My daughter still suffered with the pain of a pinched nerve. Multiple friends went through difficult trials including life threatening illnesses and marital crisis. A fellow bereaved mother experienced the death of her newborn granddaughter. How am I to respond to all this sorrow? I don’t know what to do except take each situation to Jesus.

WHAT DOES GOD FIRST ASK OF ME

When others are suffering, I often look for something, anything I can do or say to make it better. It is easy to think of prayer as the last resort, but it is exactly what God first asks of me. I may not be able to directly change loved ones’ present situations, but prayer is something I can do. Prayer is my first priority.

DIFFERENT FORMS OF PRAYER

Repeatedly, I lift each of these people up to the throne of Heaven. Whether I pray at a hospital bed, send a text, or whisper petitions in the early morning quiet or throughout the day. Each time a name comes to mind, I ask for divine intervention and provision. I beg for God’s Holy Spirit to be present and bring comfort.

HELP IN PRAYER

Often, I don’t know exactly how to pray. I’m comforted by, “The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.” (Romans 8:26-27)

GOD’S RESPONSE

How does God respond to my prayers? One friend told me of God’s provision before their need was even known (Matthew 6:8). I experienced friends sharing laughter like good medicine in the middle of intense uncertainty (Proverbs 17:22). And my faith was challenged as another shared her invitation to a deeper grace and greater love of God as she once again walked in the dark crevasse of the Valley of Death’s Shadow (Psalm 23:4).

Prayer doesn’t always bring about immediate visible resolution. My prayers usually do not bring miraculous instant outcomes for my family and friends. They’re still dealing with the realities of their situations. But by praying, I asked Jesus to step into the pain within us. I may not understand how our life experiences weave into the greater plan and purpose of God, but I know the ultimate outcome. He will wipe away all tears! (Rev. 21:3-4)

We are invited to doggedly pray for each situation God brings to mind. Our prayers change hearts and situations, allowing us to participate in the transforming process of surrendering to God’s plan. What is the first and best thing to do first for those we care about? Pray!!!!!

COME TO THE TENT

Wouldn’t it be wonderful for you to have a tent of meeting on your worst days where you can meet with God?

Ever had a really bad day? Poor Moses! In Exodus 32, Moses throws a fit. Coming down from Mount Sinai, Moses flounders. His past 40 days have been spent on the top of a mountain with God. That great spiritual high quickly plummets when Moses sees what his people have been up to.

HOLINESS DASHES TO THE GROUND

Furious Moses slams down the sacred stone tablets (handwritten by God). The fragments scatter at the foot of the mountain. He sees the Israelites consumed in an orgy, celebrating the worship of a self-made golden calf.

A WHOPPER OF AN EXCUSE

While up on the mountain, Moses had left brother Aaron in charge. Excuses run out of Aaron’s mouth. Rather than an immediate repentance of heart, Aaron makes up a whopper of excuse to his brother: Don’t get so upset, my lord,” Aaron replied. “You yourself know how evil these people are. They said to me, ‘Make us gods who will lead us. We don’t know what happened to this fellow Moses, who brought us here from the land of Egypt.’ So, I told them, ‘Whoever has gold jewelry, take it off.’ When they brought it to me, I simply threw it into the fire—and out came this calf! (Exodus 32:22-24). (Remember, I did say it was a whopper of an excuse.)

“Just say no” may have been a good life slogan for Aaron. He is caught with his pants down. The Apostle Paul hit the mark when he wrote: There is no one righteous, not even one (Romans 3:10).

WHERE IS GOD?

Moses desperately needs to see God amid this mess. In Exodus 33:1-23, God gives him the opportunity to set up a “tent of meeting.” This is where God meets with Moses face to face. Wouldn’t it be wonderful for you to have a tent of meeting on your worst days where you can meet with God? A place to talk to Him about the upcoming operation and how scared you are? How about a place to discuss your kids who don’t seem to have an interest in the things of God? Or a safe place to ask those questions when life makes no sense?

GOD’S INVITATION

Oh. Wait. As believers, we already have an eternal tent where He longs for us to communicate daily with Him. For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in his dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His sacred tent and set me high upon a rock (Psalm 27:5). You don’t have to go to Cabela’s to find God’s tent.

Meet God at the tent of His presence. It is a wonderful place to find His peace. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Meet God at His tent.

PRAYERS THAT MOVE THE WORLD

If we ask anything according to His will, [that is, consistent with His plan and purpose] He hears us.

Do you know the significance of North Korea, Somalia, Libya, Eritrea, Yemen, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Iran, & Afghanistan? He asked the significance of these names. They were the names of the top ten offenders of the 50 countries that made up the World Watch List 2024.

YET, THE CHURCH GROWS

Believers in these countries pay the cost of following Jesus. Extremists exploit instability in Africa, foreign influence bolsters autocratic regimes, and there are unprecedented attacks on churches. Over 365 million Christians around the world face discrimination for their faith. My mind boggles with the sheer numbers. Yet, despite this, the Christian Church grows.

Every morning, I read and pray for one of the countries on the Watch List. In my Global Prayer Guide I follow an additional different country. My geography skills have proven very inadequate as countries change names and shapes. God knows the locations. My heart breaks as I follow the testimonies of The voices of the martyrs.

WHY DO WE PRAY?

I do not personally know these people I pray for. Their situations are unimaginable to me. Yet I pray and then pray some more. Why? Because of this passage: “This is the [remarkable degree of] confidence which we [as believers are entitled to] have before Him: that if we ask anything according to His will, [that is, consistent with His plan and purpose] He hears us. And if we know [for a fact, as indeed we do] that He hears and listens to us in whatever we ask, we [also] know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted to us] the requests which we have asked from Him.” (I John 5:13-14)

GOD KNOWS!

God understands each situation and every individual on this earth. He knows about the believers who spend years in solitary confinement in metal shipping containers in the heat of Eritrea. The Holy Spirit groans for those in Korea, imprisoned in concentration camps because they possessed a Bible. Our Savior hears the cries of refugees from Sudan whose homes are destroyed by militants.

BIG RAIN-STOPPING PRAYERS

It is easy to get discouraged and think that our little prayers do not matter. Did you ever wonder why James 5:17-18 points out that Elijah had “a nature like ours”? Matt Bradson notes that we are to pray for huge movements of the Holy Spirit: “Even Elijah was only human. God can answer our big, rain-stopping, holiness-pleading prayers just like his.” If as a righteous person you pray according to God’s will, expect God to answer the prayer. He will grant what you ask. That is based on God’s promise, not wishful thinking.

HOW TO PRAY

How can you know exactly what and how to pray? Check out the resources I have already mentioned. Even more, learn to plunder Scripture as you pray, interceding for people using the words of the Apostle Paul or the Psalms. “Plunder” means “take goods violently from a place, especially during a war.” Do you open your Bible with force and realize that this is your sword for global warfare?

PRAY TODAY!

The Apostle Paul wrote: “It is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” Why not begin today using this as your prayer for believers in North Korea, Somalia, Libya, Eritrea, Yemen, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Iran, & Afghanistan. God has offered His ear. Speak powerfully into it!

Click here for the miraculous testimony entitled “A Die-hard Shia Muslim Becomes a Believer”

AN INVITATION FOR WOMEN TO PRAY

Stop complaining and start praying

This is your invitation to pray this coming Monday night at 6:30. Whether you attend in person or pray elsewhere with friends, below is a prayer guide which may be helpful. 

For those of you who can attend in person, we are meeting at Grace Community Church, Willow Street, PA. The entrance to use is the Christian Education Wing entrance (back left hand side of the church – you will see my red Kia parked near the door). Go through the doors, take elevator to the 2nd floor and we will be meeting in the 2nd floor lobby area. If we need more room, we will migrate elsewhere in the church building.

PRAYING FOR THE NATION

THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW THE JOY OF CHRIST

Praying for unbelievers to be saved. 2 Peter 3:9: “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

SPIRITUAL AWAKENING

    Praying for a national spiritual awakening. 2 Chronicles 7:13-14: “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” Ask God to send revival to America’s churches beginning with GCC, and cry out to God and ask Him to awaken people across the nation to their sin and their need for salvation in Christ.

    UNITY IN THE GLOBAL CHURCH

     Praying for the unity of the Church. John 17:20-23 : “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” Ask God for a fresh work of love, humility, and gentleness to invade and consume His people and His churches in our nation.

    FAMILIES

    Praying for families. Joshua 24:15: “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Ask God’s forgiveness for the ways our nation has not honored God’s plan for marriage, sexuality, and family life.  Pray for the sanctity of marriage as the union of one man and one woman.  Pray that children will be raised in healthy homes where they will be nurtured in Christ.

    SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE

    Praying for the sanctity of life beginning at conception. Psalm 139:13-16: “For you formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.  My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth; Your eyes saw my unformed body; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” Psalm 82:3-4 “Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” Ask for forgiveness on behalf of our nation for the millions of children who are aborted.  Seek God for a culture of life to be established in our families, schools, churches, and governing bodies.

    THOSE WHO SERVE

    Praying for law enforcement and military. Romans 13:1-5 : “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong.

    Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.”

    Pray for safety, protection, and wisdom for our law enforcement officers and our military.  Included praying for their families.  Ask for the salvation of these men and women.  Pray for a change of heart, that American citizens would honor those who are called to protect and serve in these ways.

    LOCAL AND NATIONAL LEADERS

    Praying for local and national government leaders. 1 Timothy 2:1-2: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” Pray that our leaders at every level of government would humble themselves, pray, seek God’s face, and turn from sin.  Ask God to use these leaders to be part of the healing of our nation.  Commit the upcoming presidential election to the Lord and ask that His will would be done.  Pray for a safe and peaceful election day and the days thereafter.

    GODLY ATTITUDE REGARDING ALL

    Praying that we will be vigilant in prayer and maintain a godly attitude regardless of the results of the elections. I Peter 2:13-17: Be subject to every human institution for the Lord’s sake, whether to a king as supreme or to governors as those he commissions to punish wrongdoers and praise those who do good. For God wants you to silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good. Live as free people, not using your freedom as a pretext for evil, but as God’s slaves. 17 Honor all people, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the king [or president].

    PRAYERS THAT MOVE THE WORLD

    Pastor Mike called out: “North Korea, Somalia, Libya, Eritrea, Yemen, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Iran, & Afghanistan.” He asked the significance of these names. Maybe you know they are the names of the top ten offenders of the 50 countries that make up the World Watch List 2024. Believers in these countries pay the cost of following Jesus. Extremists exploit instability in Africa, foreign influence bolsters autocratic regimes, and there are unprecedented attacks on churches. Over 365 million Christians around the world face discrimination for their faith. My mind boggles with the sheer numbers. Yet, despite this, the Christian Church grows.

    THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER

    Every morning, I read and pray for one of the countries on the World Watch List. In my Global Prayer Guide I follow an additional different country. My geography skills have proven very inadequate as countries change names and shapes. God knows the locations. My heart breaks as I follow the testimonies of Voice of the Martyrs.

    I DON’T PERSONALLY KNOW THESE PEOPLE

    I do not personally know these people I pray for. Their situations are unimaginable to me. Yet I pray and then pray some more. Why? Because of this passage: “This is the [remarkable degree of] confidence which we [as believers are entitled to] have before Him: that if we ask anything according to His will, [that is, consistent with His plan and purpose] He hears us. And if we know [for a fact, as indeed we do] that He hears and listens to us in whatever we ask, we [also] know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted to us] the requests which we have asked from Him.” (I John 5:13-14)

    OUR SAVIOR HEARS

    God understands each situation and every individual on this earth. He knows about the believers who spend years in solitary confinement in metal shipping containers in the heat of Eritrea. The Holy Spirit groans for those in Korea, imprisoned in concentration camps because they possessed a Bible. Our Savior hears the cries of refugees from Sudan whose homes are destroyed by militants.

    NOT WISHFUL THINKING

    It is easy to get discouraged and think that our little prayers do not matter. Did you ever wonder why James 5:17-18 points out that Elijah had “a nature like ours”? Matt Bradson writes that we are to pray for huge movements of the Holy Spirit: “Even Elijah was only human. God can answer our big, rain-stopping, holiness-pleading prayers just like his.” If as a righteous person you pray according to God’s will, expect God to answer the prayer. He will grant what you ask. That is based on God’s promise, not wishful thinking.

    WHAT TO PRAY FOR

    How can you know exactly what and how to pray? Check out the resources I have already mentioned. Even more, learn to plunder Scripture as you pray, interceding for people using the words of the Apostle Paul or the Psalms. “Plunder” means “take goods violently from a place, especially during a war.” Do you open your Bible with force and realize that this is your sword for global warfare?

    SPEAK INTO GOD’S EAR

    Notice the Apostle Paul didn’t mess around only tiny requests. He drives right to the heart of what people really need. At the beginning of Philippians, he writes, “It is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” Why not begin today using this as your prayer for believers in North Korea, Somalia, Libya, Eritrea, Yemen, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Iran, & Afghanistan? God has offered His ear. Speak powerfully into it!

    Click here for the miraculous testimony entitled “A Die-hard Shia Muslim Becomes a Believer”

    PRAYERS THAT MALFUNCTION

    Where was God? His Word was dust; her prayer life shriveled up.

    Adults in Peanuts animated cartoons are only heard by the unintelligible sounds of a muted trombone (“mwah-mwah-mwah”) That’s how Sandy’s family hears her. A believer. Sandy ardently wants to share Jesus with family, but whenever she does, they roll their eyes. Her prayers are not answered. Something is malfunctioning. “Mwah-mwah-mwah!”

    GOD SEEMED FAR, FAR AWAY

    Sandy shares her story: “This past year has been an ongoing crisis. My daughter had an accident and I ended up being the caregiver, 24/7, for both daughter and newborn grandson. Included was being a nanny-on-demand for other relatives. The pressure never let up. My car went caput. I lost all sense of independence and was at the mercy of others for transportation. In my exhaustion. In the mix was my ex-husband, a constant thorn in my flesh. God seemed far, far away.”

    HER PRAYER LIFE SHRIVELED UP

    Where was God? Sandy’s life consisted of a constant cycle of exhaustion and anger toward her family, her ex, and her non-helpful church family. The Word of God was dust; her prayer life shriveled up.

    THE DESIGN OF PRAYER

    Finally, after a year of anguish, God spoke in a way which she did not anticipate. In the midst of her rants regarding her ex, God reminded her of her own sins. Sandy had never forgiven her ex or asked for his forgiveness regarding her own livid behavior towards him. John Piper writes: “God answers prayers for people who believe in his Son and who love each other. Prayer has a specific design, and if you misuse it, it malfunctions. What is the design of prayer? Prayer is designed by God to be the effect of faith and the cause of love. If we try to pray when our aim is not to love, prayer malfunctions.”

    PRAYER IS THE POWER TO LOVE

    The Apostle John states in I John 3:18-24: We receive from Him whatever we ask, because we keep His commandments. John Piper explains: “Not because keeping his commandments earn answers to prayer, but because prayer is designed to give power in the path of obedience. Prayer is God’s way of making himself available for us when we are pouring ourselves out in love for others. Prayer is the power to love. Therefore, if we do not aim to love, we pray in vain.”

    THE 10% RULE

    Bitterness had to be knocked off Sandy’s throne. The dam of unconfessed sin broke as God let her glimpse what and who she is: a ragged daughter of God who refused to aim to love. It is said, “If you have confessed 90% of your sin to God but knowingly keep back that 10%, that 10% is the 100% of what is hindering your prayer life and relationship with God.” Sandy gave up the 10%. A miracle has occurred. Her loved ones no longer hear “mwah-mwah-mwah” when she both speaks and acts. Her prayer life has been revived.

    THE WAY TO THE PRAYER ROOM OF GOD

    Are you holding back any 10% in confession to both God and man? It is humbling to make things right, but untold beauty from God can be yours. “And whatever we ask, we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.  This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us. Love is costly, but love paves the way to the Prayer Room of God.

    Click for further great info on unanswered prayers.