Scripture to Read: Nehemiah 1:6-7
Continue reading Nehemiah 1:1-11. Our focus today is on Nehemiah 1:6-7 as we continue to unpack Nehemiah’s prayer. We already know we have the incredible honor of praying to our Heavenly Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, because His Holy Spirit lives in us. The Old Testament saints did not have this same privilege, or assurance, because the Holy Spirit was not indwelling believers yet. We read how Nehemiah is asking God to hear his prayer and for God to have His eyes opened to his prayer. There is a clear difference between the old covenant before the cross of Christ and the new covenant through the cross of Christ. Under the old covenant, the children of Israel only received God’s blessings if they perfectly obeyed His commandments. The people attempted to be righteous through their works, which we know is impossible. That is why the people of Israel brought sacrifices to the temple, continually. But, under the new covenant, all believers are blessed because we are in Christ Jesus. Our righteousness is a gift we received by faith when we surrendered to Christ as Lord. Christ’s death on the cross, His burial, and resurrection changed everything for all believers, including how we pray. We can know for sure that God hears our every prayer because our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, are praying with us, for us, and through us at all times (Romans 8:26-27, Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25). Therefore, we must continually thank God that He is always attentive to our prayers.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about your prayers and Nehemiah’s prayer?
2. What sense of security and peace do you have knowing God hears your every prayer? Who will you share this truth with this week?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!