7 Elements of Prayer by Gina!
“So, what made Nehemiah’s prayer so special that it moved God’s heart in such an amazing way? Let’s break it down.
Praise – “I pray, Lord God of heaven, O great and awesome God, You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love You and observe Your commandments….”
Nehemiah begins by giving God praise, which is also what Jesus tells us to do in the Lord’s Prayer. We should always begin our prayers this way, by acknowledging the greatness of God.
Remember, Nehemiah prayed this after the Israelites were released from seventy years of Babylonian captivity. By praising God for always keeping His promises, Nehemiah is declaring God’s character and using it as a basis to ask God to intervene in the situation.
Petition – “Please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now, day and night….”
Immediately following praise, Nehemiah tells God his request for God to pay attention to him. We know God is always paying attention to us, but Nehemiah doesn’t want to take any chances. He specifically asks God for it.
His statement “which I pray before You now, day and night” tells us he’s really anxious for God to respond, and he’s committed to keep asking.
Confession – “Both my father’s house and I have sinned. We have acted very corruptly against You, and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, nor the ordinances which You commanded Your servant, Moses.”
Nehemiah openly admits his family has sinned, that they have not kept any of God’s rules. He might also be talking about the returning captives. We too should confess our sins and repent every time we pray so our sin doesn’t interfere with God’s perfect work in our lives.
Remind God – “Remember, I pray, the word that You commanded Your servant, Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, but if you return to Me and keep My commandments and do them,, though some of you were cast out to the farthest part of the heavens, yet I will gather them from there and bring them to the place which I have chosen as a dwelling for My name.”
Recalling what God has promised in His word is an excellent tool to use when you pray. God knows His promises, but when we remind Him of them, He knows we’re serious. It deepens our connection with Him and strengthens our relationship with the Creator of the universe.
Humility – “Now these are Your servants and Your people whom You have redeemed by Your great power, and by Your strong hand.”
Nehemiah acknowledges God’s power of redemption. He’s mainly referring to the Hebrews’ exodus out of Egypt, but he’s also confident God will bring an equally successful second deliverance for the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem.
Final Ask – “ Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who desire to fear Your name; and let Your servant prosper this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.”
The Big Finish – Because the Messiah had not yet come, Nehemiah simply ends his prayer in verse eleven. For us today, if we’re praying for something specific, we should ask for God’s favor “in Jesus’ name.” Jesus Himself tells us to pray this way in John 14:13.
“You can ask for anything in my name and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.” (NLT)
He also says in Matthew 21:22, “And whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
Nehemiah clearly believes God will do what He said He would do, and we can too. If we truly believe, then we end our prayers with “in Jesus’ name” so He can be glorified.”
Fervent Praying
I want to emphasize that Nehemiah’s prayer is not the official way to pray. There is no specific structure or step-by-step instruction for praying. God is more interested in hearing what you have to say however you want to say it and the fact that you’re seeking Him.
I personally believe, though, that the elements of praise and repentance based in humility are essential to any prayer. We must humble ourselves before our mighty God and acknowledge who He is, meaning not only His power but also His great love for us.
James 5:16 tells us “the fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much,” and Nehemiah definitely prayed fervently. His prayer moved God’s heart, and he was allowed to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls with the king’s blessing. Your prayers can move God too.
Whatever you’re going through, allow Nehemiah’s example to guide you through your next talk with God so that you too can experience miracle breakthroughs.”
By Gina!!