Nehemiah 9 Commentary
How do we pray? What should constitute a good prayer? What does it mean to confess? Who should confess?
Chapter 8 gave us a picture of how Israel prayed and worshipped. Chapter 9 is a lengthy prayer that offers key lessons for our own prayers.
It’s ironic that the people who knew this much and did this much could still ask, “teach us how to pray”! It confounds our own relaxed attitude to the subject of prayer!
Yesterday, Israel read from the Law from morning to midday. Then they prayed. Today, they have read for a quarter of the day and then prayed.
Extensive reading of God’s word must precede prayer and confession.
Read Chapter 9 and see how they draw from the Word for their prayer and confession!
Their past is our past. It is a past that provides context for our own. Dig into your own past and see the many deliverances of the LORD! His faithfulness shines. See how God has worked wonders in your own life against your unfaithfulness.
Let these experiences enrich your prayers. Then words won’t be empty words.
There is an acknowledgment of their own unfaithfulness. They understand their position. They know they are a product of their own past and that of their fathers. They are humble enough to know they have deserved God’s grace.
Prayer commenced with a familiar statement: “hallowed be thy name”. That’s what comes from reading the Word! Without the reading of the Word, this prayer would probably start with, “give me this day my daily bread.”
What do you know about God? Declare it aloud. Let every prayer start this way.
Notice the number of times God is referenced in this prayer. The words ‘you’ and its variant ‘your’ appear in just about every sentence. It’s about the faithfulness of the LORD. It’s about the generosity of the LORD.
Sit down and look back at your own life story. Who is the hero?
This prayer shifts our attention from self to Jesus. Then we can have life once again.
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