Read Nehemiah 1:4–5. Nehemiah’s prayer reveals his view of God. What attributes or characteristics of God are disclosed in this passage? In other words, what is God like? Why is it good news that God is who He is?
No matter how old you are, you have likely lived long enough to encounter significant pain in your life. Maybe something happenedto you that was completely beyond your control. But what about brokenness wrought by your own sin? Has that ever happened? As uncomfortable as it may be, can you think of a time in your life where you experienced significant pain because of your rebellion against God? Is anyone comfortable sharing an experience like that?
Read Nehemiah 1:6–11. Nehemiah does not observe the sinful stateof God’s people from afar. He says, “We have sinned against you”(Nehemiah 1:6, emphasis added). He does not point his finger. Hedoes not distance himself. He owns his people’s sin. He confesses itto God. Notice how many times the word “we” is used in this passage. What is the difference between seeing God’s people as a “we” rather than ”me”? Discuss.
Think about the community of believers God has given you in thisseason of life. Within that group, who are the hardest people to love?Be honest. Who do you feel resistant to pray for? Why?
Close by using Nehemiah’s prayer (Nehemiah 1:5–11) as a model for your prayer. Pray on behalf of yourself and the community of believersGod has given you in this season. 1) Profess who God is and what He is like 2) Confess ways you and the broader community of believers have sinned against God 3) Ask for grace and mercy 4) End with praise to God
Sermon Details
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Ross Lester walks through Nehemiah’s prayer in verses 5-11 to outline how faithful prayer looks to God with adoration, looks at self with humble confession, remembers the past with thanksgiving, and right-sizes the future through supplication.
