PRAYING & PLANNING - Eagle Christian Churcheaglechristianchurch.com/sermon_files/2018-04-29/sermon.pdf · 2018. 4. 29. · “Praying & Planning” Nehemiah 2:6-8 ^pleased the king

PRAYING & PLANNING

Nehemiah 2:1-8

“Praying & Planning”

Nehemiah 2:1-3“In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, I took up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence. And the king said to me, ‘Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of the heart.’ Then I was very much afraid. I said to the king, ‘Let the king live forever! Why should not my face be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ …’”

“Praying & Planning”

Nehemiah 2:3-6“‘graves, lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?’ Then the king said to me, ‘What are you requesting?’ So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said to the king, ‘If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ graves, that I may rebuild it.’ And the king said to me (the queen sitting beside him), ‘How long will you be gone, and when will you return?’ So it …”

“Praying & Planning”

Nehemiah 2:6-8“pleased the king to send me when I had given him a time. And I said to the king, ‘If it pleases the king, let letters be given me to the governors of the province Beyond the River, that they may let me pass through until I come to Judah, and a letter to Asaph, the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the fortress of the temple, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall …’”

“Praying & Planning”

Nehemiah 2:8“‘occupy.’ And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me.” (ESV)

“Praying & Planning”

Ezra 4:11-12To King Artaxerxes:

“The King should know that the Jews … have gone to Jerusalem … and are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are restoring the walls and repairing the foundation. Furthermore … if this city is built and its walls are restored, no more taxes … will be paid.”

–Rehum

“Praying & Planning”

Ezra 4:17-24“The King sent this reply …

‘Now issue an order to these men to stop work, so that this city will not be rebuilt …’

Thus the work … came to a standstill.”

“Praying & Planning”

Nehemiah 2:3“Then I was very much afraid.” (ESV)

NEHEMIAH PRAYED

“So I prayed to the God of heaven” (2:4)

“Praying & Planning”

Prayer Is Critical•Prayer unleashes the very power of God.

Prayer changes things. It keeps our vision fresh. It keeps our eyes and our hearts in an expectant mode.

“Praying & Planning”

Two Aspects of Nehemiah’s Prayer

•He prayed for an opportunity• “O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer

of your servant … and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” (1:11, ESV)

“Praying & Planning”

How Should We Pray?•Many pray that things might be different.

What God wants is people who will pray to be used to bring about the difference.

“Praying & Planning”

Two Aspects of Nehemiah’s Prayer

•He prayed for an opportunity

•He prayed for favor• “O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer

of your servant … and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” (1:11, ESV)

NEHEMIAH PLANNED

“If it pleases the King, let letters be given me … give me timbers to make beams” (2:7-8)

“Praying & Planning”

Two Aspects of Nehemiah’s Planning

•He formulated a strategy

“Praying & Planning”

Nehemiah’s Strategy• Convince the King to allow me to go

• Convince the King to lend me financial support

• Obtain letters from the King to the governors

• Work a deal with Asaph for some materials

• Ask the King for the title “Governor” of Judah

• Organize and equip the inhabitants of Jerusalem

• Begin construction

“Praying & Planning”

Two Aspects of Nehemiah’s Planning

•He formulated a strategy

•He was ready for the opportunity

“Praying & Planning”

An Important Lesson• In many instances, opportunity apart from

preparation—results in missed opportunity.

“Praying & Planning”

Accomplishing God’s Will•We must dream big, God-sized dreams

“Praying & Planning”

Two Aspects of Accomplishing God’s Will

•We must dream big, God-sized dreams

•We must be ready, available, and faithful

“Praying & Planning”

Prayer Checklist from Nehemiah• Pray for opportunities to be used by God

• Pray for people who can help you launch your vision

• While you wait on God to open the doors, develop a plan

• List the steps that need to be taken

• Ask, “what are the things that can be done right now?”

• When opportunities arise, say a quick prayer

• Then, dive in and get busy

PRAYING AND PLANNING

Are you ready and willing to be used by God?