The Arvada enterprise., 1922-08-24


GOLDEN TENT-Ths sffsotuRl. fcrvcnt
prayer OF u righteous man svaileth much,
Jas. 6.l6.
REFERENCE MArERIAI.-E.. s::S.
q: Sum. 7;6-u. Matt y:2,, IS; Act. i:lc.
u; Eph. S:A-.l.
PRIMARY ToPlC-Nehem.ah Talking
to God
JUNIOR ToPIc-Thc Prayer of the
king's Cupbearer.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
Prayer NJ y Preparation for All Under
tRkinRs.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Prayer and Power.
!. Nehemiah Learns Of the Distress
Of the captivss wv. 1-0.
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 AZ cupbearer to the Per-
sian king. While In this important
position there entered into his heart
q desire to honor God aud do good to
his people. A young man can be true
to God In any position In life II he
sets his heart on Jesus Christ and
SohwuheS WIN Ai'h W puSet auu
study Of Gods word. A man may
be elevated to n high position. prosper
In business, and yet live life un-
spotted from the world.
2. by Whom ". -. 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 brcth-
ren. 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 cnptives
were In grent afiiiction and rcproacl,.
u. kehsmiah's Sorrow ". ~.
The news Of his brethren's distress
greatly moved Nehemiah. lie sat
down and wept and mourned several
days. He tasted and prayed before
God. Gods people nre 81 essentially
one that the afIllction md shame OF
the one Is the atiiIction und shame OF
all. No one will ever do much to help
a distressed people who does not deep
ly feel their dcsolation. Neheminh's =
sorrow wns not the kind that snys II
pity you and goes on In ways Of sell
hshness without making nn effort Ia
help True pity expresses Itself In an
effort TO help.
~. Nshsntah's Prayer tvv. BID.
lie knew where to 80 for help. IIs
took the mnttcr upon his heart to God
In prayer. The first and hest way tn
help others Is to pray for them. Nchc.
minh did not merely pray: he left his
place nj the Persian court md jour
neyed to Jerusalem and took hold witt,
his own hands Our prayers and tcnrs
must I've translated into definite action
if We would be Of real help to others.
Note the characteristics Of this prayer.
I. It's WOrshipful Spirit ". -. lie
recognized God M the great ind ter.
hble One the Lord God Of heaven.
True prayer shows that spirit Of wOr.
ship.
. Its Ground ". ~. II was on
the ground Of covenant relation thnt
lie besought God. On this ground all
who nrc IN Christ Jesus can come and
plead before God.
g. II Wns Persistent ". %. liz
prayed day and night. God Is picnsc'i
their pIcndings with Him. Those who
understand the covenant relation viii
be impor'unate In their petitions.
4. II Wns Accompanied by confcs.
sion Of Sin wv. q. y. In this confcs.
sion he mentioned definitely his sin
". y. W. should specify the sins
which We have committed. Most pco.
Pile when praying nrc too general In
their confessions.
.. lie Pleads God's Promises tvv. 3.
o. In our praying We should remind
God Of His own words II In when
His words abide In ny TINT we cnn
ini~lllgcnily pray (John 1J:IO. II
We would be- successful In our praying
We should MI our minds with Gods
promises.
q, lie Pleads Relationship ". 1W.
He reminds God that they wrr. Ills
children by redemption. Thos" who
nre In Christ are Gods children by
redemption through HIS precious blood
The child Inns II clnlm upon ~. father.
God's children hn," n claim upon Him.
7. II was Intrrccssory Prayer ty.ID.
with intense rnrncsin"ss h" definitely y
prayed TINT God would Civ" him fnvor
before tho king IE order TINT he nigh,
be enabled to help his people. IN"
kings favor was needed ~ order Ia
enable him to help his brethren. God
II able 10 move the heart "f II hcntli.n
king and thus further His own cause
by mems Of III. prayer Of humble
servant