Middletown transcript., 1922-08-26
IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
Si11qldaySchool
' Lesson '
CBy REV. p. B. FITZwATER. d. D..
Teacher of English Bible in the Moody
Bible Institute OF Chicago)
Copyright. 1922. Western Newspaper Union
LESSON FOR AUGUST 27
NEHEMlAH'S PRAYER

LESSON TEXT-Neh 1:1-11.
GOLDEN TEXT-The effectual, feryent
prayer OF a righteous man availeth much.
Jas. SIG.
REFERENCE MATERIAL-Ex. 32:ao-
81: l Sam. 7:5-11: Matt 9:37, 3S; Acts l:l2-
H. Eph. 3:l4-21.
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
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 II high position, prosper
In business, and yet live u life un-
| spotted from the world.
2. By Whom ". y. 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
We're in great affliction and reproach.
| II. Nehemiah's Sorrow (v. ~.
| 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
enc that the affliction and shame of
the one is the affiiction and shame of
all. No one will ever do much to help
| a 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
tishness without making IN effort to
help. True pity expresses itself i'll an
effort to help.
III. Nehemiah's Prayer wv. BID.
He knew where TO go 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
If we would be of real help to others
Note the characteristics of this prayer
l. It's Worshipful Spirit w. 81. He
recognized God rs the great and ter
rible One, the Lord God of heaven
True prayer shows that spirit of wor-
ship.
.. Its Ground ". -. 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 ". 81. 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 imporMnate in their petitions.
4. 1t Was ACCOMPANIED by Confes
sion of Sin wv. 6, y. In this confes
sion he mentioned definitely his sir
". y. We should specify the sins
which we nave committed. Most peo
pie when praying are too general II
their confessions. He not only definite
ly confessed the national sins hut in
cluded himself in them. All who live
near God know themselves to be sin
ners and will therefore confess theil
sins to GoG.
5. He Pleads Gods Promises wv. 9
9). In our praying we should remin1
God of His own words. 1t is wheI
His words abide in us that we car
intelligently pray (John 1910. l
we would be successful in our prayin!
we should fill our minds with God.
promises.
6. He Pleads Relationship (v. 1G)
He reminds God that they were Hi
children by redemption. Those VIII,
are in Christ are Gods children b,
redemption through His precious blood
The child has CLAIM upon its father
Gods children have claim upon Him
7. 1t was Intercessory Prayer (v.1D
With intense earnestness he defnitel,
prayed that God would give him favo
before the king in order that he nigh
be enabled to help his people. Tn,
kings favor was needed in order t,
enable him to help his brethren. Coz
is able to move the heart of heathe,
king and thus further His own caus,
by means of the prayer of humble
servant.