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Praying and Watching

Nehemiah 4:1-9

 

If you want to improve your prayer life, read and study the book of Nehemiah. Nehemiah was a man of prayer. Listed below are just a few of the examples of Nehemiah’s prayer habits.

When Nehemiah received a report that the walls and gates of Jerusalem were destroyed, he immediately prayed in Nehemiah 1:4 - And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven. 

He didn’t jump into action when he heard the news, he took it to the Lord in prayer.

After praying for guidance, he went to the King and made the following request. Nehemiah 2:4 - Then the king said unto me, for what dost thou make request? So, I prayed to the God of heaven. Again, we see his first response is to pray.

After approval from the king to go repair the walls and gates Nehemiah faced opposition from some who didn’t want the work completed. These enemies conspired with others to fight the ones who were diligently working to repair the gates and walls. 

In response to this news, we read in Nehemiah 4:9 - Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them. 

In the chapter 4 prayer we see one of the keys to a successful prayer life, “Watch and Pray!” Jesus put it like this in Mark 14:38 - Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. The Apostle Paul after instructing believers to put on the whole armor of God makes it clear with the following statement, Ephesians 6:18 - Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

And again in Colossians 4:2- Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; 

Watch and pray and experience the promises of God!