The copper era and Morenci leader., 1922-08-25
LESSON FOR AUGUST 27
NEHEMIAH's PRAYER

EHEMIAH'S ; PRAYER
 LESSON TEXT-Neh. 1:1-11
 GOLDEN TEXT-The effectual, fervent prayer of righteous man availeth much. Jas. 5:16
 REFERENCE MATERIALLY. 32:2O- s2; Sam. 7:5-11; Matt 9:37. 3S; Acts 1:12- l14: Eph. 3:14-21.
 PRIMARY ToPIC-Nehemiah Talking te God
 JUNIOR ToPIC-The Prayer of the Kings Cupbearer.
 INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC Prayer as a Preparation for All Under talxings.
 YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC i-Prayer and Power.
 ]. Nehemiah Learns of the Distress icf the captives (vv. 1-3).
 l. When (v. D. Twentieth year of the reign of Artaxerxes (2:D.
 The month Chisleu corresponds to our December. It 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 sefs his heart on Jesus Christ and ,communes with Him by prayer and study of Gods word. man may be elevated to a high position, prosper in business, and yet live a life un- spotted from the world
 2. By Whom (v. ?. His brother Hanani and certain men of Judah Drought him the news. His inquiry tshows that though he was prosperous ihe did not forget his unfortunate breth- Iren. We should never let our success land well-being shut out sympathy for ithe oppressed and suffering. i 3. The Nature of the Distress (v. 3. iThe wall of Jerusalem was broken down. Its gates were burned with fire and the remnant of the captives lwere in great affiiction and reproach. 1 n. Nehemiah's Sorrow (v. 4).
 The news of his brethren's distress igreatly moved Nehemiah. He sat ldown and wept and mourned several days. He lasted and prayed before iGod. Gods people are so essentially lone that the affiiction and shame of Ithe one Is the affiiction and shame of laii. No one will ever do much to help Ia distressed people who does net deep ily feel their desolation.. Neherniah's isorrow was not the kind that says 1T Ipity you" and goes on tp, wayssof sell IAshness without making an effort to help. True pity expresses itself in an ieffort to help.
 IIl. Neheniah'e Prayer (vv 5-11).
 He knew where to go for help. He ltook the matter upon his heart to God lin prayer. The first and best way to ihelp others Is to pray for them. Nehe- lmiah did not merely bray he left his place at the Persian court and jour tneyed to Jerusalem and took hold with Ibis own hands. Our prayers and tears lmust be translated into definite action hf we would be of real help to others. lNgote the characteristics of this prayer 1 l. Its Worshipful Spirit (V. 5). He recognized God as the great and ter. bible One, the Lord God of heaven. ITrue prayer shown that spirit of wor- Iship.
 2. It's Ground (v. 3. It was on ifhe ground of covenant relation that iae besOught God. On this ground all Iwho are in Christ Jesus can come and plead before God.
 3. It Was Persistent (v. 0. 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 Joe importunate in their petitions.
 {. It Was Accompanied by Comics sion of Sin tvv. 6, D. In this comics sion he mentioned definitely his sin 1lv. D. We should specify the sins (which we have committed. Most peo- pie when praying are too general in their confessions.
 5. He Pleads Gods Promises (vv. 8, 9). In our praying we. should remind lGod of His own words. It is when His words abide in us that we can lintelligently pray (John 15 I'D. If i've would be successful in our praying i've should fill our minds with Gods promises.
 6. He Pleads Relationship (v. 10). He reminds God that they were His chiidren by redemption. Those who are in Christ are Gods children by redemption through His precious blood. The child has claim upon it's father. Gods children have claim upon Him.
 '. It was microscopy Prayer (v.11). 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 heathen king and thus further His own cause by means of the prayer of a. humble servant. ... at,
 The Cunning Man. *
 4 cunning man uSerfehches no one