Passage
Nehemiah 1:1-11 (ESV)
Truth in the Word of the Lord
Psalm 12:1-8
Key Verse: 12:6
Nehemiah's Prayer
Date: Nov. 1, 2019
Daily Bread
Introduction to Nehemiah
Key Verse: 1:11
O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.”
Now I was cupbearer to the king.
1. I sat down and wept (1-4)
Nehemiah was a Jewish exile living in Susa in Babylon. He had a high position in the court of King Artaxerxes; he was the king's cupbearer. Some of the Jewish exiles had returned to Jerusalem and had rebuilt the temple. One day some men-including Nehemiah's brother-came from Judah bringing news of Jerusalem and the people living there. When Nehemiah heard that the city wall of Jerusalem was broken down, leaving her helpless and disgraced, he sat down and wept. He fasted and prayed.
2. Nehemiah's decision (5-11)
Nehemiah decided to risk his job, and even his life, and speak to the king. But first, he prayed. He confessed the sins of his people, and he included himself. The people were living in exile because they had not lived according to God's word. God had kept his promise to scatter his disobedient people; he was keeping his promise to restore repentant people.
Prayer: Lord, help me to see my nation's problems as my own, pray with a repentant heart, and act by faith.
One Word: Pray to the Lord for his help and success
