Nehemiah had come to understand the words that would be spoken by Paul several centuries later when he told the Thessalonian church, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (I Thessalonians 5:16-18).” The core of the entire book is the incredible relationship and dependence Nehemiah had on God and the work of God in his life as a result.
Nehemiah 4:4,5,9
Then I prayed, “Hear us, our God, for we are being mocked. May their scoffing fall back on their own heads, and may they themselves become captives in a foreign land! Do not ignore their guilt. Do not blot out their sins, for they have provoked you to anger here in front of the builders.” But we prayed to our God and guarded the city day and night to protect ourselves.
Types of Opposition
- Anger 4:1, 7
- Mockery 4:2
- Intimidation 4:8,11
- Discouragement 4:10
- Negativity 4:12
- Fear 4:14
About the Prayer
- It is directed to God
- Not a prayer for personal vengeance, but rather a prayer that God would act to judge sinners.
- Prayer that God would judge those who oppose His kingdom and glory.
- Pray for God’s kingdom to be established
- Pray that God would “destroy” our enemies by converting them. But if He so chooses, God may also destroy them by pouring out His wrath on them, as He will surely do at the final judgment if they have not repented of their rebellion against Him.
- It is after the pray that that they acted
You can download the PowerPoint presentation: Nehemiah a Prayer Warrior opposition
