Nehemiah is not a preacher!

Nor a prophet, priest, or any other type “cleric.”

He is a working man, a “butler” to a foreign King … as the Bible Book bearing his names makes abundantly clear.

He never rises to the height of Daniel in his praying, nor the beauty of Habakkuk, nor the verbosity of Solomon!

But he did excel in short, quick prayers … “ejaculatory” prayers the old-timers called them.

Nehemiah, a layman whom God used to rebuild the walls surrounding the City of Jerusalem near the end of the Babylonian Captivity! Yes, he single-handedly organized over forty work teams who got the job done!

Doing so (in fifty-two days) with exemplary determination and creativity!

While I may share one more Lesson about Nehemiah (tomorrow) … one illustration of the man’s constant walk with God is absolutely outstanding!

This Text recounts a dialogue between Nehemiah and the King for whom he “worked,” served as “cupbearer.” Watch the ease with which Nehemiah segues back and forth between conversation and intercession!

“Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? SO I PRAYED TO THE GOD OF HEAVEN. And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers’ sepulchres, that I may build it.”  Nehemiah 2:4-5

See it?

The first sentence, a question, comes from the King to Nehemiah. “For what dost thou make request?” In other words, “What do you need?”

The next sentence, standing before an ancient Monarch, is PRAYER! “So I prayed to the God of Heaven!” Praying to God, talking to the Creator, while also conversing with a Dictator!

Then, immediately, back to the conversation at hand! “If it please the King ….” Or, essentially … “Here’s my list of needs, Sir!”

Wow!

And Nehemiah does this repeatedly throughout his Book, throughout his building career, no doubt throughout his entire life!

He gives new meaning to the Lord’s comment, “Men ought ALWAYS to pray, and not to faint.” Luke 18:1, ALWAYS!

Or to Paul’s “Pray without ceasing.” 1st Thessalonians 5:17

Pray, pray, pray!

Interlace every activity of the day with prayer!

That was Nehemiah’s expertise!

Granted, Nehemiah was not an illustrious man.

But he was a faithful man, a dependable man, a praying man.

And one who rightfully belongs in this study of the great prayer warriors of the Bible.

Oh, how we need to be more like him. And if so … each of us would, no doubt, quickly shoot “arrows” of prayer heavenward today, forty or fifty times at least!

“My Wife asked me to take the garbage to the dumpster. And as I prayed for the missionary who spoke at Church last night … I cheerfully tied the garbage bag and walked out the door.”

Let’s multiply the foregoing example time and time again, Nehemiah style, in our daily lives.

Perhaps you already do.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

I wrote yesterday of the “obstinacy” of Daniel’s prayer life.

He prayed NO MATTER WHAT!

Today just a phrase, “Daniel went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.” Daniel 6:10

Under threat of being thrown in a den of lions, he did not shut his windows!

He did not pursue some form of “silent” prayer, either!

“His windows being open!”

Wow!

Think of some other so-called little “things” in the Bible that say a lot!

“A young boy’s lunch!”

“Moses’ rod!”

“A sling and five smooth stones!”

“Old cast clouts and rotten rags!”

“A widow’s mite!”

“A cock crowing!”

“A kiss in the Garden!”

“A rolled away stone!”

“A rushing mighty wind!”

And now I add … Daniel’s “open windows!”

Windows looking toward the land of vision, Jerusalem … “home!”

Looking away from worldly Babylon, “strange language” and all!

Looking forward to the coming Kingdom of God, the “real Ruler” of all the earth!

Looking around to all who were observant (even Daniel’s enemies), illustrating the mighty power of God, who truly “delivers” from permanent danger!

But read this too, “Daniel went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, AS HE DID AFORETIME.”

Such bold prayer for Daniel was not just a recent thing, due to the threats of his foes!

He prayed this way yesterday!

And day before!

Last month too, thirty times in fact, not missing a beat!

“Three times a day!”

Readers, there is a direct relationship between one’s prowess  in prayer … and one’s faithfulness in service. We sing “Dare to be a Daniel” … yet we pray very little! Prayer being the secret, the essence, of Daniel’s power with God!

Pray more … languish less!

And the authority behind such reasoning?

Jesus Himself.

“Men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” Luke 18:1, our Lord, word for word.

As if these represent the two choices!

Indeed, they do.

PRAYING!

OR … FAINTING!

Back to Daniel … but we best not interrupt him now … he’s probably “at it” again! In his house, windows open, heart felt thanksgiving and intercession flowing from his lips, rather loudly apparently.

Yes, he never fainted.

He always prayed.

How about us?

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

Daniel is one of the most resolute individuals in the Bible!

He would not compromise, no matter what.

Even in the Book of Daniel’s very first chapter, Daniel “purposed” in his heart not to eat certain idol-tainted foods! Nor drink intoxicating beverages!

What holy determination!

But from what central point of character did this godly steadfastness spring?

I think it was Daniel’s sterling life of prayer!

Here’s an example. Once, in Daniel chapter six, we are told that a group of detractors, men who were jealous of Daniel’s success and hated him for his honesty, his sincerity … plotted to have this man of God killed.

They, using flattery and false praise, persuaded the King to: “establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.” Daniel 6:7-9

Pray to anything or anyone … except the heathen King … and your life will be ended!

Now, watch Daniel. “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.” Daniel 6:10

What a man!

And notice this. We are not told a single thing for which he prayed!

Just that he did pray!

Even when he knew the consequences!

HE WENT INTO HIS HOUSE! HE OPENED HIS WINDOWS TOWARD JERUSALEM! HE KNELT THREE TIMES A DAY! AND HE PRAYED, GIVING THANKS BEFORE HIS GOD!

Prayer, no matter what!

One old Preacher called this “obstinacy” in prayer!

Another Bible character whose prayer life is once described in this manner is Paul, then Saul of Tarsus, only a few hours after he was saved. “And the Lord said unto Ananias, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth.” Acts 9:11

Behold, he prayeth!

Folks, maybe it is not as important WHAT we pray … as it is important that WE DO PRAY!

Be determined in your prayer life, as was Daniel!

Three times a day!

Almost sounds like David: “Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.” Psalm 119:164, Wow!

By the way, have YOU prayed today?

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

Jeremiah is the very “anomaly” of prayer, so very atypical!

The man just does not seem to have had (what would be called today) a “healthy” prayer life at all.

He complains as he prays so very often!

Here’s an example: “O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.” Jeremiah 20:7

And another: “I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand: for thou hast filled me with indignation. Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, which refuseth to be healed? wilt thou be altogether unto me as a liar, and as waters that fail?” Jeremiah 15:16-18

Wow!

Calling God a deceiver?

And a liar?

And like waters that “fail?”

And when Jeremiah did try to pray aright, to intercede for Judah (the people he served for over 50 years, faithfully declaring the “Word of the Lord”) … God responded: “PRAY THOU NOT for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me: for I will not hear thee.” Jeremiah 7:16

Again in Jeremiah 11:14, God to Jeremiah. “Therefore PRAY THOU NOT for this people, neither lift up a cry or prayer for them: for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble.”

Yet another time, Jeremiah 14:11. “Therefore PRAY THOU NOT for this people, neither lift up a cry or prayer for them: for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble.”

Wow!

And Brother Bagwell wants to use Jeremiah as an example of a “prayer warrior?”

Yes.

Even in his low moments, even when God is saying “No,” Jeremiah is in communion with his Lord!

One of the longest ministries of any Prophet (50+ years) … and I cannot recall a minute the man was “out-of-touch” with God!

He saw a Nation fall (Judah).

Due to sin.

He was persecuted relentlessly, incessantly.

Due to preaching the Truth.

And he (thought he may have wavered a few times) never broke!

He talked with God from Jeremiah chapter 1 (the first) to Jeremiah chapter 52 (the last) of the Book!

His LIFE was a prayer!

And he did leave us this little nugget of gold, quoting Almighty God word for word. “Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” Jeremiah 33:3

That’s enough to convince me.

Jeremiah was a man of prayer.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Quality of prayer may not ultimately be measured in number of words uttered … but in years of godly activity lived to the Glory of our Father in Heaven!

 

 

Yes, Habakkuk resolves his questions, all of them, with a grand statement of faith!

Prayer for this man of God is no longer (if it had ever been) simply “getting” what one wants!

Or gleaning answers to current questions about God’s governing the world!

Now, for this man of God anyway, prayer has become “communion” with His Lord.

Habakkuk chapter 3 is our Text for this Friday in August, 2015.

The whole Unit (chapter 3) begins with a “superscript,” saying “a prayer of Habakkuk!”

A prayer, yet he asks for nothing!

Nothing personal anyway.

He acquiesces to God’s Will, realizing dark days are ahead for Judah. Backsliding Judah! “Lord (for Thy Nation), in Wrath remember Mercy,” he pleads.

Then … miraculously … God comes on the scene!

The teachers call it a “theophany,” an appearance of the Lord Himself!

Read some of it with me.

“God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise. And his brightness was as the light; he had horns coming out of his hand: and there was the hiding of his power. Before him went the pestilence, and burning coals went forth at his feet.” Habakkuk 3:3-5

Then … “The mountains saw thee (God), and they trembled: the overflowing of the water passed by: the deep uttered his voice, and lifted up his hands on high. The sun and moon stood still in their habitation: at the light of thine arrows they went, and at the shining of thy glittering spear. Thou didst march through the land in indignation, thou didst thresh the heathen in anger. Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for salvation with thine anointed; thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked, by discovering the foundation unto the neck.” Habakkuk 3:10-13

This happens as the man prays, this grand vision of the Lord!

It may be a description of our Lord’s yet future but literal Return to earth!

How did Habakkuk respond?

At first … “When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself.” Habakkuk 3:16, the “fear” of the Lord, reverent respect!

Then … forgetting any previous “issues,” Habakkuk resolves:

No matter what, I shall trust the Lord!

If I know HIM … all else fades in comparison!

Thus the ultimate conclusion of a mature faith, a mature prayer life. “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls. Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.” The end of Habakkuk 3, verses 17-19.

Wow!

Prayer … as worship!

Prayer … as dedication to God!

Prayer … as determination!

Prayer … on its highest level!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Lord, so teach us to pray!