Prayer lesson 2: When you pray believe God.

Rev. Enoch Thompson | October 19, 2023 | Nehemiah 1:1-6a

KEY VERSE:

. . . let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night . . . Nehemiah1:6a (NIV)

MESSAGE:

The first prayer of Nehemiah teaches us a second lesson, to pray as a people who are businesslike when we pray because we believe prayer works, and that God answers prayer. It is easy to fall into a formality of religion when we pray. In those instances, prayer is mindless and not much is expected to be achieved by prayer. We must pray, and when we pray, we must be serious, believing and hopeful that our prayers will be answered by God.

Nehemiah calls upon God to” let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night.” (Nehemiah1:6a). Nehemiah uses human terms of ears and eyes of God that are called to be engaged to the advantage of the prayers of the faithful. Nehemiah’s language in these prayers shows that he believed in the reality of God, and His involvement in the affairs of humanity. God is not a far-removed entity. He is interested in and concerned about the things that affect those who believe in Him.

The Lord Jesus taught us to have faith when we pray. He said, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24 (NIV). Our thoughts, words, and emotions in prayer must not be useless exercises or mere traditions and cultural expressions. We must believe in God and expect Him to answer our prayers.

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:

Have you ever come to a point in your life when you think that prayer is of no value? You may not say it in so many words, but when we refuse to pray, we are demonstrating our thinking that prayer has no value.

Pray, and when you pray, stay in hope, for God answers prayer.

PRAYER:

O God who answers prayer, who demands that we believe when we pray, I come to you as a person who sometimes doubts under the influence of my education, my challenges, the casting of doubts by others, my fears and doubts and the tempting of the enemy.

I declare that I believe in your faithfulness and power to hear and answer prayers. Please increase my faith and help me to believe. For Christ’s dear Name’s sake, Amen.

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! ___ DAILY word study: EAR AND EYES The words Ear and Eyes are translated in Hewbrew as

"Ear" - "אָזְנְךָ" (Ozenkha): derived from "אזן" (Ozen), meaning "ear" or "hearing." It signifies not just physical hearing but attentive and responsive listening.

"Eyes" - "עֵינֶיךָ" (Eynekha): derived from "עין" (Ayin), which means "eye" or "eyes." In a broader sense, it refers to vision, perception, and attentiveness.

In the Bible, these words are used to mean

• God's Attentiveness: Throughout the Bible, the metaphor of God's ear being attentive signifies His responsiveness to the prayers and cries of His people (e.g., Psalm 34:15).

• God's Watchful Eyes: The idea of God's eyes being open represents His constant vigilance, awareness, and watchfulness over His people (e.g., Psalm 121:4).

From the context of our word study, we learn these important lessons about prayer

1. Prayerful Communication: Nehemiah's plea for God's "ear to be attentive" conveys the intimate nature of prayer. It's not a monologue but a dialogue, where God actively listens.

2. Divine Awareness: The imagery of God's "eyes open" suggests His perpetual awareness. It signifies that God not only hears but sees the situations, needs, and hearts of His people.

3. Persistence in Prayer: Nehemiah's mention of praying "day and night" reflects persistence and dedication in prayer. It encourages a lifestyle of continuous communication with God.

Reflections:

How can the awareness of God's attentive ear and watchful eyes influence your approach to prayer and your daily life?