McNairy County independent. (Selmer, McNairy County, Tenn.) 1902-1969, 1922-08-25
LESSON FOR AUGUST 27
NEHEMIAH's PRAYER

LESSON TEXT-Neh 1.l-l1
GOLDEN TEXT-The effectual, fervent
prayer of righteous man availeth much.
Jas. Sic.
REFERENCE MATERIAL-Ex. 1920
"; ! Sam, 7:5-ll; Matt s:a7. SS; Acts 1:l2-
"A; Eph 3:14-2l
PRIMARY TOPIC--Nehemiah Talking
to God.
JUNIOR ToPIc-The Prayer of the
Kings Cupbearer.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
Prayer as a Preparation for All Under
takings.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Prayer and Power.
]. Nehemiah Learns of the Distress
OF the captives wv. 1-3).
l. When ". ~. Twentieth year of
the reign of Artaxerxes (2:D.
The month Chisleu corresponds to
our December. 1t was while perform
Ing his duty as cupbearer to the Per-
sian king. While in this important
position there entered into his heart
a desire to honor God and do good to
his people. A young man can be true
to God In any position in life If he
sets his heart on Jesus Christ and
communes with Him by prayer and
study Of Gods word. A man may
be elevated to high position, prosper
In business, and yet live life un-
spotted from the world.
2. BY Whom ". p. His brother
Hanani and certain men Of Judah
brought him the news His inquiry
shows that though he was prosperous
he did not forget his unfortunate breth-
rem. We should never let our success
and well-being shut out sympathy for
the oppressed and suffering.
3. The Nature of the Distress ". 81.
The wall of Jerusalem was broken
down. Its gates were burned with
fire and the remnant of the captives
were In great affection and reproach.
II. Nehemiah's Sorrow ". A..
The news of his brethren's distress
greatly moved Nehemiah. He sat
down and wept and mourned several
days. He tasted and prayed before
God. Gods people are so essentially
one that the affection and shame of
the one is the affection and shame of
all. No one will ever do much to help
distressed people who does not deep
ly feel their desolation. Nehemiah's
sorrow was not the kind that says II
pity you" and goes on in ways of sell
fishness without making an effort to
help. True pity expresses itself in an
effort to help.
~. Nehemiah's Prayer wv. 5-11).
He knew where to 60 for help. He
took the matter upon his heart to God
In prayer. The first and best way to
help others is to pray for them. Nehe.
miah did not merely pray; he left his
place at the Persian court and jour.
neyed to Jerusalem and took hold with
his own hands. Our prayers and tears
must be translated into definite action
II we would be Of real help to others.
Note the characteristics Of this prayer
I. Its Worshipful Spirit ". 81. He
recognized God as the great and ter
rible One, the Lord God of heaven.
True prayer shows that spirit of wor-
ship.
2. Its Ground ". 81. It was on
the ground Of covenant relation that
He besought God. On this ground all
who are In Christ Jesus can come and
plead before God.
8. 1t Was Persistent ". g.. He
prayed day and night. God is pleased
when His servants are persistent in
their pleadings with Him. Those who
understand the covenant relation will
be importunate in their petitions.
A. 1t Was Accompanied by Confess
sion Of Sin wv. 8, y. In this confes-
sion he mentioned definitely his sin
". y. We should specify the sins
which we have committed. Most peo-
Pile when praying are too general In
their confessions. He not only definite
" confessed the national sins but In
cluded himself In them. All who live
near God know themselves to be sin
ners and will therefore confess their
sins to God.
8. He Pleads Gods Promises (vv s.
o.. In our praying we should remind
God Of His own words. 1t Is when
His words abide In us that we can
intelligently pray (John 15;17). II
we would be successful In our praying
we should fill our minds with Gods
promises.
6. He Pleads Relationship ". 10).
He reminds God that they were His
children by redemption. Those who
are in Christ are Gods children by
redemption through His precious blood.
The child has claim upon its father.
Gods children have claim upon Him.
z. 1t was microscopy Prayer (v.1D.
With intense earnestness he definitely
prayed that God would give him favor
before the king in order that he might
be enabled to help his people. The
kings favor was needed In order to
enable him to help his brethren. God
is able to move the heart of heather
king and thus further His own cause