Neh 8 Prayer Generation

Prayer GenerationNeh. 8:1-12

Nehemiah 8Ezra 7

Eager Listeners• The congregation gathered as one man to

listen to the Law being read.• They asked for it to be read!• They wanted to understand it!

• They were willing to stand a long time and hear a lot of Scripture being read.

Eager Preacher• Ezra stood behind a wooden pulpit, on an

elevated platform and read the Law.• The people stood to hear the Law being

read, out of respect for the Word.

Eager Prayers• Ezra finished reading and blessed the LORD,

the great God.

The Blessing (Ez 7:27-28)

“Blessed be the LORD, the God of our fathers, who put such a thing as this into the heart of the king,

to beautify the house of the LORD that is in Jerusalem,

and who extended to me his steadfast love before the king and his counselors, and before all the king'smighty officers. I took courage, for

the hand of the LORD my God was on me, and I gathered leading men from Israel to go up with me.”

Eager Prayers• Ezra finished reading and blessed the LORD,

the great God.• When he prayed, the people joined in with

“Amens!”• When he prayed, they joined in with lifted

hands, bowing low and worshiping.

Eager Listeners• The Levites translated and explained what

the law meant. • Their goal was understanding.• Their application was relevant, convicting,

powerful.• The people were moved to weeping.

Eager Worshipers• Nehemiah declared a national holy-day to

focus their attention on God.• The Levites counseled the responders after

the rally.• The Levites reestablished their patterns of

worship according to Biblical instructions.

Eagerness Quotient• Do we have similar eager responses to the

Word of God? • Whenever the Word of God is read, do we

eagerly bless the LORD, the great God?• Is the spirit of our prayers toward God or men?

Who will be worshiped in their wake?• Are we eager to lead in accurate interpretation,

proclamation and application of the Word? In prayer responses to God?

Prayer Requests• Pray for an eager, receptive congregation• Pray for your preacher who reads, explains

and challenges with the Word• Pray for the Spirit’s conviction, brokenness

over sins, and tender responsive hearts• Pray for godly leaders who can counsel for

change• Pray for revival

Praises• Praise God for the power of His Word• Praise God for His coordination of messages

and listeners• Praise God for His strength, given to those

who believe for their enjoyment• Praise God for teachers and leaders who

encourage holiness• Praise God for growth, revival, change