The Everyday Prayer

Re:Verse passage – Nehemiah 12:40-47 (day two) and on that day they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced because God had given them great joy, even the women and children rejoiced, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard from afar. v. 43

Pastor Don used to exhort us to sing so the seven year-old passing us by on the sidewalk would stop and wonder what was going on. I heard him use that illustration several times over the years. The age and gender of the passerby would change each time, but the sentiment was still the same. Our praise should radiate. When we gather it is a declaration that Jesus is Lord over everything and everyone. He has conquered death; he has given us life, and we have reason to rejoice. Does this reflect how you worship? Or does this make you uncomfortable? We have a declaration of victory to proclaim to the world. We gather in thanksgiving to glorify the Lord for his goodness, and in so doing, we cannot help but shout our praise. I can’t wait for Sunday.

Re:Verse passage – Nehemiah 10:28-30 (day seven)

… taking on themselves a curse … vs 29

Though they were taking on an oath to walk in God’s law, there was also a curse attached to the oath. If they failed to walk in the law of the Lord, they would fall back into the same cycle that has plagued these peoples since the beginning of their history. The Israelites abandon God, face punishment through foreign domination, cry out for help, and then are rescued by a judge, king, or prophet appointed by God who puts things back in order.

The curse is more of a promise from God. When we attempt to do things our way instead of God’s way, we will become more susceptible to corruption from the enemy. It is not that He chooses for us to be punished for our disobedience. Rather, our disobedience creates a disconnect between us and God that opens the door for further disobedience. It does not begin with full on abandonment of God. It is little choices of trying to do things our way that gets us in to trouble. We think we do not need God, and in turn attempt to become our own god. That is when the promise becomes a curse.

Re:Verse passage – Nehemiah 10:28-30 (day six)

In Nehemiah’s day, Israel renewed their commitment to God’s law, which included their rhythms. They pledged to honor the Sabbath, observe sacred days, and trust God enough to pause their productivity. This wasn’t legalism, it was a rhythm of resistance against the pull of the surrounding culture.

We, too, live in a world that glorifies busyness and productivity. But repentance means more than avoiding sin; it means reordering our lives around the reign of King Jesus.

What rhythms shape your week? Is there space for rest, worship, and dependence on God? Or have our calendars been quietly discipled by the culture around us?

Renewal begins when God’s people not only believe differently, but live differently.

Let’s make room for rhythms that reflect Kingdom priorities.

Re:Verse passage – Nehemiah 10:28-30 (day five)

Did you notice in verse 29 who all were included in this covenant agreement?  At first glance my answer was everybody.  But that is the point, EVERYBODY- to include the nobles. Remember chapter 5?  We see those same nobles (who were persecuting and oppressing the people) now a part of the community.  The same nobles who were not willing to work or serve are now in community soon to be covenant community.  What happened?  What caused this change of heart in the Israelites who were “crying out” earlier to the injustice caused by these nobles, to now seemingly have them be a part of this accountability through a covenant?  The answer is repentance- true repentance.  There was an acknowledgement by the nobles, (confession) of their sin, then there was restoration and reversal (a sure sign of repentance).  But also notice the grace and courage exhibited by the people.  There was opportunity and invitation extended to join and finish the wall, build a nation, and restore relationships.  That’s a testimony to the Living God who redeems, restores, and renews (everybody)!!

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” ‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬

Re:Verse passage – Nehemiah 10:28-30 (day four)

I have to confess, I have a hard time keeping myself accountable to my goals and convictions on my own. I go through this every January, and then again around this time of year. I have new spiritual convictions or goals in mind, and I start with good intentions, but I often can’t seem to motivate myself to keep at it. Eventually, the things of daily life choke out my once strongly held convictions and I fall back into old patterns. As much as it frustrates me, I am simply not strong enough on my own to accomplish these things.

You know what changes this pattern, though? Stating my goals in front of others. Attaching my name to a goal where others can see it. Including my community in my spiritual formation and personal growth. Now, it’s not just me, myself, and I keeping me accountable, but a community of people who want grow with me.

When the people under Nehemiah’s care signed the document, they were boldly and publicly attaching their name to a goal for holiness. No, simply signing a document doesn’t mean you’re sure to accomplish that goal, but it’s certainly a step in the right direction to maintain public accountability. If the people slipped back into a life of sin, others in the community could remind them of the document with their name on it and the life they are called to. It’s not foolproof, but it is helpful. How might you employ a similar kind of accountability in your own life?

Re:Verse passage – Nehemiah 10:28-30 (day two) are joining with their kinsmen, their nobles, and are taking on themselves a curse and an oath to walk in God’s law…v. 29a

It is not difficult to misuse this passage of scripture. At first glance there is a distinct xenophobic directive given. They were to separate from foreigners, and not associate in any way with outsiders. Taken straight out of context this gives the impression that one people group is better than another. God is speaking directly to his people, in our modern context his people is not a nationality, a bordered identity, or a racial identifier. God’s people are marked with the blood of Jesus, and as such, are together redeemed. Nehemiah is reminding the people that to associate with the Lord is to take on the yoke of the law. It is a ponderous burden, and it is difficult to keep, but it is the responsibility of the people of Moses. They could not be of two minds. If they followed the rest of the world, they were of the world. If they were to follow the Lord, they were to keep the Law. Our modern reading has nothing to do with foreigners, and everything to do with grace. May our obedience to Jesus be marked by his mercy and grace toward us all.

Re:Verse passage – Nehemiah 9:1-3 (day seven)

Did you know that Nehemiah 9:5-38 is the longest recorded prayer in the Bible? There are songs and psalms that compare, but of the specific prayers in Scripture, none can top this Levitical confession. Yet, this prayer only takes about six and half minutes to read aloud in the english translation. If you have not read the prayer this week, go ahead and do so now.

Rejoice always;  pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

What does it mean to pray without ceasing if Scripture only exhibits short prayers? Praying without ceasing is next to impossible. Living your life in an attitude of prayer is entirely possible! Like a quiver full of arrows, we should be able to reach back shoot up a quick prayer at any moment of the day. God wants us to pray about all things little and big. Those arrow prayer will help us achieve an attitude of prayer in our daily life. “Prayer does not need to be long to be glorious and effective.” -Guzik