Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1922-08-24
LESSON FOR AUGUST II
NEHEMIAH's PRAYER


| prayer Of righteous man availeth much.
| JAS. 6:16
REFERENCE MATERIAI-Ex. RIO
\ y; Sam. 1911; Matt e:N. 50: Acts ILL.,
u: Eph- S:l4-2L
PRIMARY ToPU-Nshemiah Talking
| u God.
! JUNIOR ToPIc-The Prayer Of the
Kings Cupbearer.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
Prayer - Preparations for All Under
tAkinss.
Il YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Prayer and Power.
f L Nehemiah Learns Of the Distress
~ the captivss wv. 1-3).
/. When ". II. Twentieth year Of
the reign Of Artaxerxes (2:1).
The month Chisleu corresponds to
our December. 1t was while perform
ing his duty as cupbearer to the Per-
stan 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 II he
sets his heart on Jesus Christ and
communes with Him by prayer and
study Of Gods word. A man may
=
be elevated to a 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 tor
the oppressed and suffering.
! 8. The Nature Of the Distress ". 81.
The wall Of Jerusalem was broken
down. Its gates were burned with
nrs and the remnant Of the captves
were in great af1iction and reproach.
II II. Nshemlah's Sorrow ". A..
The news Of his brethren's distress
greatly moved Nehemiah. He sat
days. He tasted and prayed before
God. Gods people are 20 essentially
Ione that the affliction and shame Of
leAe one IL the a6llction and shame of
lan. No one Will aver do much 10 help
| II distressed people who does not deep
I|Sy feel their desolation. Nehemiah's
sorrow was not the kind that says n
pity You" ind goes On Id wars of ~
|nShneSs without making. an effort 70
|Neip, True pity expresses itself IN IN
effort to help. e.
III III. Nsteswtah's Prayer NV, Sly.
He knew where to 20 tor help. He
took the matter upon his heart to God
! lin prayer. The frst and best way -
| help others Is to pray for them. Nehe-
|miah did not merely pray; he left his
place at the Persian court and Jour
lpeyed to Jerusalem and took hold with
4 |his own hands. Our prayers and tears
| must be translated into definite action
lie we would be Of real help to others.
Mote the characteristics Of this prayer.
/ 1. It's Worshipful Spirit ". 81. He
recognized God as the great and ter
Irible One. the Lord God OF heaven.
True prayer shows that spirit Of wor-
ship.
! 2. Its Ground ". 81. 1t was on
the ground Of covenant relation that
He besought God On this ground all
| who are in Christ Jesus can come and
4 plead before Cod
i 8. 1t Was Persistent ". g. He
prayed day and night God is pleased
4 when His servants are persistent In
their pleadings with Him. Those who
understand the covenant relation will
be importunate in their petitions.
i 4. 1t WAS Accompanied by Confess
sion of Sin wv. 6, y. In this confess
sion he mentioned definitely his sin
+ {v. y. We should specify the sins
which we have committed. Most peo-
pile when praying are too general in
In 5. He Pleads Gods Promises wv. s,