Lessons from Nehemiah's PRAYER LIFE

✨ Encouraging thoughts 😁

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★ Lessons from Nehemiah's PRAYER LIFE

(Scripture portion: Nehemiah chapters 1, 2, 5 and 6)

There are many valuable lessons we can learn from Nehemiah's prayer life.

★ Prioritise

Nehemiah prioritised prayer, even amidst his responsibilities as the cupbearer to the King. When he heard of the distress of the Jewish remnant and the state of Jerusalem's wall and gates , he committed to days of fasting and constant prayer (1:3). We read that he prayed day and night (1:6). We can find a similar dedication to prayer in the life of Daniel.

Though our daily lives may be busy, let us ensure that we allocate time for spiritual matters, prayer, and studying God's Word.

★ Praise God

Nehemiah's prayers were filled with praise and gratitude for God's greatness and His deeds. He referred to God as the "God of heaven" and acknowledged His awesomeness (1:5).

Our prayers should include praise and thanksgiving, not solely requests and supplications.

★ Personalise

We see Nehemiah confessing the sins on behalf of the sons of Israel. He is not blaming others but admits that it's him and his father's house who have sinned (1:6).

Before we pray for others, let us repent and confess our sins. A blind can't lead a blind.

★ Know the word of God

Nehemiah's familiarity with the Word of God allowed him to recognize their sins and disobedience (1:7). He knew that if they return back to Him, He will bring them back (1:9).

We should cultivate a deep relationship with the Word of God to understand His will and preferences.

★ Short prayers

Nehemiah prayed before making his request to the king (2:4). That prayer would've been very brief and to the point. Our sincere, short prayers are heard by our God, who values the intent of our hearts. Examples like Peter's cry for help while sinking, the thief on the cross, Jabez, and the prayer of the tax collector show the power of concise prayers.

Let us incorporate short prayers into our daily routines, such as before entering the office, before examining a patient, when we see an ambulance passing by etc.

★ Pray in every situation

We see Nehemiah praying when Saballat, Tobiah and others conspired against them (5:9).

We see him praying again when people tried to frighten them and discourage them from building the wall of Jerusalem (6:9).

In each and every situation of our lives, may we also seek Him for help.

Take away:

¶ Make time for prayer and studying God's Word despite a busy life.

¶ Include praise and gratitude in prayers, not just requests.

¶ Confess your own sins before praying for others.

¶ Short, heartfelt prayers are effective in any situation.

¶ Understand God's will through a deep relationship with His Word.

¶ Seek God's help in every life situation.

📖 Verse for the day 📖

Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

AUTHOR-✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍

Sis Shincy Susan wayanad

Special thought

A glimpse of thought

Faith

Hebrews 11:1

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen"

Dear brethren,

In the above-mentioned verse, we have seen a definition of faith. Given below are the 5 steps that enable us to reach the point where unwavering faith is pronounced.

1. Do not feel weary in faith.

2. Do not be suspicious with unfaithfulness.

3. Be strengthened in faith.

4. Have a firm belief that God is able.

5. Give glory to God.

In addition to this, we can observe Romans 4:19. Here we can see Abraham as a role model for faith. He practised these 5 steps in his life.

1. Romans 4:19 -- " And not Being Weak in faith he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about 100 years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb". The Meaning of the phrase 'did not consider' has a vast depth. Even though he knew the incapabilities of both of their bodies he was not fed up with faith. ( In modern terminology, we could say they are physically unable and their situation is something impossible to cure with modern medical science). In such a hard environment, Abraham relied on God's promises and possessed a vehement faith more than anything.

2. Romans 4:20 -- " He didn't waver at the promise of God through unbelief". Abraham did not waver in his faith by doubting whether the promise given by God would be a reality.

3. Romans 4:21 -- " And being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform". Abraham assured himself that God was able. No matter what are the weaknesses of him and his wife, the eternal God is able and strong to fulfil his promise. This is the faith that centred on Abraham.

4. Romans 4:20 -- "strengthened in faith".

Abraham was able to be strengthened in faith because he wasn't dubious about the works of God.

5. Romans 4:20 -- " Giving glory to God".

Just because he was not fed up with faith he was made strong enough to give glory to God.

Philippians 4:6 -- "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with Thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God". Here Paul also exhorts the importance of thanksgiving to God.

I Thessalonians 5:17,18 -- "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing". In this verse also, we can observe the significance of giving thanks to God through Paul. It is impossible to pray properly without the possession of faith. It's better not to pray if we don't have faith in ourselves that, the one whom we are praying is not able to fulfil our needs. As we all are living in this world, every one of us is occupied with many needs and desires. While we are praying, do we have faith that our God is sufficient to provide our supplications? Are we fed up with our faith when we realise that God is not working on our needs yet? Are we suspicious of God? Are we assuring ourselves that, even though there comes a delay in the fulfilment of the matter of our prayer God Is still able to answer at the right time? Do we have a firm faith that God is still working on our matters? If so, are we able to give thanks to God by that assurance?

We should be made able to utter 'Oh Lord, thank you for your unending work on my affairs'. It is in such situations we can look upon our father in faith, Abraham. No matter what our needs are! Do we think that our matters are impossible according to the perceptions of humans, the upcoming situations, the decorums of the world and modern medical science? Dear beloved, if you are affected with such doubts kindly practice the above-mentioned 5 steps in your life. The life of Abraham challenges us to believe that it is possible.

May the Lord Almighty enable us to walk in faith and to triumph amid any turbulent situation. There exists nothing impossible for our God. We can proceed a life by making Abraham our role model in faith. This is what the creator desires from His creations. May God give us His strength.

The name of the Almighty be glorified.

Amen.

Written by - Sis Reny saji Muscat

✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍

Translation by

Sis Acsah Nelson

Special Thought

മനുഷ്യപുത്രാ, ഈ പുരുഷന്മാർ തങ്ങളുടെ വിഗ്രഹങ്ങളെ ഹൃദയത്തിൽ സ്മരിച്ചു തങ്ങളുടെ അകൃത്യഹേതു തങ്ങളുടെ മുമ്പിൽ വെച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു; അവർ ചോദിച്ചാൽ ഞാൻ ഉത്തരമരുളുമോ?

( യെഹെസ്കേൽ 14 : 3 )

Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?

( Ezekiel 14 : 3 )

ദൈവ നാമത്തിന് മഹത്വമുണ്ടാകട്ടെ.

ഒരു ചെറിയ ചിന്ത നമുക്ക് ഒരുമിച്ചു ദൈവത്തോട് ചേർന്ന് ചിന്തിക്കാം.

മുകളിൽ കോട്ടു ചെയ്തിരിക്കുന്ന തിരുവചനം ദൈവം ഇസ്രായേൽ മക്കളോടുള്ള ബന്ധത്തിൽ അവരോട് സംസാരിക്കുന്നതാണ്. എന്നുവച്ചാൽ ദൈവമാക്കളോട് സംസാരിക്കുന്നു.

ദൈവം പറയുന്നത് തന്റെ മക്കൾ ഹൃദയത്തിൽ സൂക്ഷിക്കുന്ന

വിഗ്രഹത്തെ പറ്റിയാണ്.

എന്താണ് ദൈവം വിഗ്രഹം എന്ന് സൂചിപ്പിക്കുന്നത്?.

ഞാനും നിങ്ങളും എന്തിനാണ് ഹൃദത്തിൽ പ്രമുഖ സ്ഥാനം കൊടുക്കുന്നത്? ദൈവത്തിനോ അതോ നാമുമായി ബന്ധപ്പെട്ടിട്ടുള്ള ലോകത്തിലെ നശിച്ചു പോകുന്ന താത്കാലിക

വസ്തുക്കളെ കുറിച്ചാണോ?

ദൈവത്തെയും ദൈവ രാജ്യത്തെയും വിട്ട് ലോകത്തെയും ലോകത്തിലുള്ളതിനെയും കുറിച്ചുള്ള ചിന്തകളെ ദൈവം വിഗ്രഹമായി കണക്കിടുന്നു.

അതായത്, നാളത്തെക്കുറിച്ചുള്ള വ്യാകുലങ്ങൾ,

വസ്തു വകകളെ കുറിച്ചുള്ള ചിന്തകളും അതിന്റെ അവകാശവാദവും, ധനത്തെ കുറിച്ചുള മോഹവും അതിനോടുള്ള ഭ്രമവും,

ബന്ധുമിത്രാധികളെ കുറിച്ചുള്ള ആശങ്കപ്പെടൽ, ഭാര്യ, ഭർത്താവ്. മക്കൾ, എന്നിവരെ കുറിച്ചുള്ള ആകുലത, ജഡത്തിനായുള്ള മോഹങ്ങൾ, എന്നീ വകകൾ എല്ലാം ദൈവ സന്നിധിയിൽ വിഗ്രഹങ്ങൾ ആണ്.

ആര് ദൈവത്തിന് ആദ്യ സ്ഥാനം കൊടുക്കാതെ ഈ വകകൾക്കായി മുൻ‌തൂക്കം കൊടുക്കുന്നവോ, അവരുടെ നിലവിളിയും പ്രാർത്ഥനയും ദൈവം കേൾക്കുകയും കൈകൊള്ളുകയും

ഇല്ല എന്നാണ് എഹെസ്‌ക്കൽ 14ൻറെ 3 ൽ പറഞ്ഞിരിക്കുന്നത്.

ആയതിനാൽ പ്രിയ ദൈവജനമേ നാം നമ്മെ തന്നെ ദൈവത്തിന് പൂർണമായി സമർപ്പിച്ചു കൊണ്ട് ദൈവത്തെയും ദൈവ രാജ്യത്തെയും അന്വേഷിക്കാം. അതോടൊപ്പം നമുക്ക് ഈ ലോകജീവിതത്തിനു ആവശ്യം ഉള്ളതെല്ലാം നമ്മുടെ സ്വർഗസ്ഥനായ പിതാവിന്റെ കൈകൾ നമ്മൾക്ക് തരും.

ദൈവം വിശ്വസ്ഥൻ.

ഈ കേൾപ്പിച്ച ദൈവീക ആലോചന പ്രകാരം നമുക്ക് ദൈവം തന്ന ഈ ഭൂമിയിൽ ദൈവം തരുന്ന ജീവിതം നയിക്കാം.

സകല മഹത്വവും നമ്മുടെ സ്വർഗീയ പിതാവിന് സമർപ്പിക്കാം. Amen 🙏

Written by ✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍

Bro Vishwanath Divakaran