Monday Morning Pastor 12/11/06

It has been 18 days since my last post. Two weeks ago the Foley's were in concert so there wasn't much to recap since I have the least musical knowledge in south eastern Michigan. Last week I spoke and I didn't think it was appropriate to review my own message, and the thought of it seemed a little strange.

This week Mark continued his venture into the book of Nehemiah.

Who: Pastor Mark

When: December 9th

What: Building to Honor God (Nehemiah 2-3)

Background: Nehemiah the cup bearer to the king of Persia found out that the city of Jerusalem was in ruins, there was no wall for protection and it was not a safe place to live. In Chapter 2 Nehemiah goes before the king and says a quick prayer before he asks the King to give him money and supplies to go rebuild Jerusalem.

Nehemiah gives us a great example on how to pray in chapters 2-3.

3 Characteristics of prayer

Devote - Focus on Prayer

There was 4 months between the first report of Jerusalem's condition and when Nehemiah went before the king. Nehemiah was no doubt praying and asking God for direction in how to proceed.

Be watchful - Alert & Vigilant

Nehemiah seized the opportunity to pray in the presence of the king.

Continually - At all times

This doesn't mean that we walk around praying out loud, but we should be prepared at any time to pray. We don't have to wait for the right place to pray we can pray everywhere. I once heard it said that to pray continually was like a "hacking cough" When you have a cough that just won't go away you don't cough 100% of the time, but at any moment a cough may surface. The same should be said about prayer.

4 Characteristic Prayers

Private prayer - Time spent alone with God
Group prayer - With other believers
Continual prayer - An attitude of prayer at all times
Arrow prayers - at any time and at any place

This passage is more than just a manual on how to pray. Nehemiah demonstrates an important attitude when it comes to prayer and service to God. Nehemiah is not broken for the state of Jerusalem because he has fond memories of Jerusalem; he is broken because God's name is being dragged through the mud rather than lifted up.

The temple had been rebuilt the sacrificial system, the worship of YHWH in Jerusalem had been restored, but it was not safe to be in Jerusalem. Nehemiah wanted to restore the Glory of God that was due to him among the peoples.

Nehemiah wanted to make sure that God received the glory in all that he did, are you more interested in receiving your own glory or deflecting the glory to God?

2 Ways God Receives Glory When We Pray
A Prayer that says...
1. Do in my life whatever makes others see that you are God.
2. Ask God to show his greatness (in blessing and struggles) not just take away pains.

Next Week: Children's Sunday School Christmas Program!