Scripture to Read: Nehemiah 1:8-9
God loves for us to fellowship with Him through prayer. Through prayer, God’s Holy Spirit in us reveals to us any unconfessed sin, and He also guides us to deepen our intimacy with our Heavenly Father and opens our eyes to see our need for God in all areas of our life. As Nehemiah is praying in Nehemiah 1:8-9, he is reminded of God’s promises to the nation of Israel from Leviticus 26:33, Deuteronomy 30:2-4, and Deuteronomy 12:5. Nehemiah is pleading with God to remember His promises to Israel, which were given through Moses. God never forgets any of His promises, nor does God ever go back on any of His promises. What God is revealing to us here today, through Nehemiah, is that as God led Nehemiah to His promises in Leviticus and Deuteronomy, He was teaching Nehemiah to rest in the promises given by Him in the first place. As we pray, God also wants us, just like Nehemiah, to pray His Word. God uses His Word to remind us of everything He has given us through our Lord Jesus Christ. We must open His Word and let it bathe our hearts and minds as we speak His Word back to Him. For instance, praying Ephesians 6:10; “Holy Father, thank You for reminding me to be strong in You and in the strength of Your might. Knowing my strength comes from You gives me great peace for the battles I’ll face today.”
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you about incorporating His Word into your prayer life?
2. Take some time and pray through Ephesians 6:10-20, making it personal as you talk to our Heavenly Father.
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!