Confessing for the nation

Finally, I'm blogging again about Nehemiah. In our last look at Nehemiah, we found that he was a man of prayer. He prayed, not only on his own, but also in that moment when he was asked by the King what he wanted to do about Jerusalem. But that prayerfulness was cultivated by his private prayer life. What you are behind the scenes and in private is what you truly are. We'll see that overflow in Nehemiah now, as we think of his prayer of confession.

Why was Nehemiah praying? Hanani his brother had returned from Jersualem and told Nehemiah what state the city was in. This was even after the return of earlier exiles to Jerusalem. The walls of the city were broken down, and the gates not erected.

On hearing the news, Nehemiah was upset, and 'sat down and wept and mourned for days, and [he] continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven' (Neh 1:4). We're then ushered into his chamber for an insight into his prayers. Here's his prayer, then we'll think about what he did:

And I said, "O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father's house have sinned. 7We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses. 8Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, 'If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, 9but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your dispersed be under the farthest skies, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.' 10They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand. 11O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man."

God's Character

First, Nehemiah addresses God - and reminds both God and himself of the character of God. This is surely the right place to begin our prayers, as we recall the character of God, the one we pray to. While the thinking of the ancients was that deities were restricted to local areas, and only over one place, Nehemiah boldly declares the truth that God is the 'Lord God of heaven' - ruling and reigning over all. But more than that, God is 'the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments.' (5)

If Nehemiah had doubts about whether God could do anything for him, or answer prayers, they are quickly dispelled by the reflection of God's character. The 'great and awesome God' will surely hear and answer him! How much can we be quickened to pray by remembering the attributes, the love and faithfulness of our God?

He next appeals to the great and awesome God to be attentive to his prayers, both by listening and watching him as he prays. In this section, he also tells God what he's going to pray for.

Confessing

The reminder of God's character leads into the main section of the prayer. God is the one who 'keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments.' Oh how that exposes the fault of the Israelites! The very reason Nehemiah is in exile is because Israel had not loved and obeyed God. So he doesn't beat about the bush. He doesn't hmm and ha about social conditioning or peer pressure to sin. He goes straight to the problem - as he confesses 'the sons of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you.' (6) It might be easy to confess the sins of other people - and say how society around him had gone to pieces because of sin; but he goes further: 'Even I and my father's house have sinned.' (6)

How quick are we to confess our sins, and our corporate sins? Are there occasions when we need to confess the sins of our nation?

How had they sinned? 'We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses.' (7) The Law that God had given to Moses had been disregarded! What could be done? The mention of Moses led Nehemiah on to recall the promise of God to Moses:

God's Promises

Nehemiah had recalled who it was he was praying to - the awesome and great God. He then recalled the failure of the people to keep the covenant, and so confessed his people's sin. He then goes into another stage of recalling - as he remembers God's covenant promises to his people. The promise of God to Moses had been that if the people had been unfaithful, he would scatter them - that had already happened. But it went on to say that if the people returned to him, God would bring them back to the promised land. And this would happen, even if they were under the 'farthest skies' (9).

Do we pray God's promises? If God has promised in his word that he is with us, then we can hold him to that! If God has promised that he is faithful to forgive our sins when we confess, then we can hold him to it!

Nehemiah then urges God to act on his prayer - by reminding him that the people he is praying for are God's people - 'they are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand.' (10)

Nehemiah then concludes his prayer by asking again for God to listen to him; to grant him success as he prepares to approach the king. 'Grant him (that is, Nehemiah) mercy in the sight of this man (that is, the king).

So what can we learn from Nehemiah's praying? First, that as we approach God in prayer, it is important to adore God for who he is - remembering his attributes and his awesome character. Secondly, confessing our sins and faults as we come into the presence of the holy God. Thirdly, we should pray God's promises, claiming the things he has already promised to give us. And fourthly, we should be persistent praying people - the time between him hearing the news of Jersualem, and him telling the king was over 100 days (according to my commentary). Keep going in prayer!!!