There are praying men in the Scriptures of whom no miracles are told. They moved in other spheres. They were workers in the workshop of the world. (Google image, Nehemiah, So we built the wall)
Jacob and Moses were keepers of sheep, with ample spaces of solitude in which to pray. We are not told that Elijah ever worked at anything but prayer. The example of Elijah's miraculous record needs to be balanced by that of others who lived and worked among the normal conditions of life.
It is expected that preachers and prophets should give themselves to the Word of God and prayer, but what about the man whose life is lived in the factory, the office, or the store?
Nehemiah was as truly a man of prayer as Elijah. He was the builder of the wall of Jerusalem. He wrought no miracle, he saw no vision, he had no special commission from Heaven. He never said God had sent him, neither did he ask anyone else to say it for him.
A need and an opportunity called him. That was enough. There was a condition that filled his soul with grief, a great work to be done, and no one seeming to care about it, and somehow it was laid upon him that he ought to take it in hand.
So he prayed over the evil tidings, prayed for the ruined city, prayed about the reproach of the people of God, prayed on behalf of those in distress; prayed till his heart was well nigh breaking.
Nothing extraordinary happened. No angel came. God gave no sign. When Elijah prayed, things happened. Nehemiah prayed, and nothing happened! Oh yes, there did! Something happened in Nehemiah, and a miracle in personality is greater than a miracle in nature.
Emotion turned to prayer, and prayer turned to conviction; then conviction generated purpose, and purpose directed energy; then energy vitalized activity, until the two sayings come together:
"So I PRAYED" and
"So WE BUILT."
The praying of Nehemiah wrought no startling and dramatic manifestation of supernatural power, but it built the wall and restored the city, and in the will of God that was his work. Nehemiah prayed about his work. Prayer was the maintained attitude and continued habit of his life.
There are those who reserve prayer for special and desperate occasions. We read of some who prayed because they were at their wits' end. Most people pray when they get there. Some pray under the stress of an emotional mood.
Nehemiah prayed all the time, all the way through, and about everything. It was so entirely his habit to pray that he became a man of prayer.
The Practical Value of Prayer
The habit of prayer implies a certain attitude to life. It predicates God, and recognizes His sovereignty over all. It submits all things to His will, rehearses all things in His presence, judges all things by His standards of values, and lives by faith in Him.
Prayer is the essence and test of the godly life. Who can measure its influence upon mind and character, or estimate its value in practical wisdom and dexterous skill? The Book of Nehemiah is in the Bible, and therein it is written for all to see what prayer did for the man of payer who wrought no miracle but built the wall against tremendous odds.
It gave him the commission and co-operation of the King, and secured him all necessary supplies. It brought him courage and sense in dealing with critics and adversaries, and it instructed him in wisdom in adjusting difficulties of labor and wages.
It saved him from the tricky craft of the official, and gave him sagacity to resist the cunning of the enemy. It gave him sanctuary when they invented lies and slanders about him. It armed him with faith and humor as well as with a sword and trowel.
He kept his hands clean, his wits alert, his courage bright, and prayed his way through. He was sure of God: sure of the character of God, the words of God, the covenant of God. So he prayed and so he trusted; so he worked and so he prevailed.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Let's pray-
Father, we may not be like the great men of prayer mentioned above, but that is no reason why we should not be men and women of prayer.
There were many men mentioned in the Scriptures who didn't perform miracles, but they moved in other spheres similar to ours. When opportunities present themselves for work to be done, especially when no one seems to care about doing it, lay on us the concern to see that it's taken care of; much like Nehemiah.
Help us pray over the need, praying on behalf of those who are distressed, and breaking our hearts to get involved.
Let our emotions turn to prayer, and our prayers turn to conviction; then conviction, to generate the purpose in directing our energy.
Help our habit of prayer develop an attitude to life, which recognizes Your sovereignty over all, and that submits all things to Your will.
May our essence and test of life become Your standard of values, and may we live by faith in You.
We ask this in Jesus' name, and for His glory. Amen
Today's Bible verses-
John 15:2 (NIV) "He cuts off every branch in me
John 15:2 (NIV) "He cuts off every branch in me
that bears no fruit, while every branch that does
bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more
fruitful."
Matthew 6:9-13 (ESV) Pray then like this: “Our
Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your
kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it
is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and
forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our
debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver
us from evil.”
Matthew 6:9-13 (ESV) Pray then like this: “Our
Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your
kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it
is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and
forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our
debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver
us from evil.”
Today's quote-
~ Ernie Miller- It’s pretty easy to discern when you meet someone who’s been broken . . . by God
perhaps because of a poor decision, a surprise event, outright rebellion . . . or needed discipline by our Lord . . .
when they speak and act there’s a tenderness evident, although they’re bold they lack arrogance and pride in themselves or their own abilities . . . fully aware of who they are in Christ, and equally aware of the darkness of life without Him . . . and in their words and acts all that can be heard and seen is Christ . . .
. . . for they wear the scars of life that brought them bowing helpless before Christ, the one and only solution to every man’s heart,
. . . for they wear the scars of life that brought them bowing helpless before Christ, the one and only solution to every man’s heart,
and having been restored, they know to trust not in anything . . . but God . . . their lives standing upon the rock, Christ Jesus their Lord and Savior . . .
Go to Pastor Benny's captivating message about bearing spiritual fruit... "This promise of power comes after the Holy Spirit visits your life, empowering you to witness, strengthening your Christian walk, and equipping you for Christian service to defeat the enemy."
"If a time ever existed when the gifts of the Holy Spirit are essential for victorious Christian living, it is now!"Did you know?
~ Our confidence in Christ's death and resurrection is to be the basis for confidence in our transformation.
~ If your vision for your life doesn't require the help of others, it's too small of a vision.
Today's guest link-
One Decision Away from Joy
by Max Lucado
by Max Lucado
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus promises joy nine times! But this joy is not cheap. Observe the sequence. First, we recognize we are in need… we are poor in spirit. Next, we repent of our self-sufficiency… we mourn. We quit calling the shots and surrender control to God… we are meek. Grateful for his presence, we yearn for more of him… we hunger and thirst.
As we grow closer to him, we become more like him. We forgive others… we are merciful. We change our outlook… we are pure in heart. We love others… we are peacemakers. We endure injustice… we are persecuted. (Matthew 5:3-12).
The more radical the change, the greater the joy. His is a joy that consequences cannot quench. His is a peace that circumstances cannot steal. And it is within your reach. You are one decision away from joy.
(Jean's emphasis added)
(Jean's emphasis added)
Read More Applause of Heaven
Upcoming posts-
All Knowledge
25th- Saturday's post by Lee Forbes
#42 Whatsoever Ye Shall Ask
28th- Tuesday's post by Samuel Chadwick
#41 The Prayer of Faith
30th- Thursday's post by Samuel Chadwick
Are You Struggling with Fear?
6/1st- Saturday's post by Nancy Demary
All Knowledge
25th- Saturday's post by Lee Forbes
#42 Whatsoever Ye Shall Ask
28th- Tuesday's post by Samuel Chadwick
#41 The Prayer of Faith
30th- Thursday's post by Samuel Chadwick
Are You Struggling with Fear?
6/1st- Saturday's post by Nancy Demary
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