Today’s Reading: Nehemiah 9

Let’s circle back this morning to Nehemiah’s prayer in chapter nine. This powerful prayer had beautiful elements of praise and worship woven in with strands of confession, testimonies of God’s provision, and full surrender to God. What a great example for us! Let’s pray a similar prayer together as we saturate ourselves in God’s presence to start our day.

Lord, we worship your name together — the name that deserves all of the glory and praise! May your name be exalted above all blessings and praise. No other word holds the same power than your name. You alone are Lord!

WE PRAISE AND WORSHIP YOU!

You are the magnificent Creator of the skies, the heavens and all the stars. You made the earth, from land to sea and everything in it. And not only are you the Creator of all, you are the One who sustains creation. The angels of heaven worship you and so do we, for you have done everything you ever promised you would do. You are consistently true to your word and we can trust you.

We thank you for the opportunity to review our story once more so that we can find you faithful then, just as you are faithful now. Throughout our lives, you have heard our cries for mercy. Over and over again, you have answered our prayers and shown up for us. We are unworthy of your attention and love.

Just as the Israelites cried out to you for help as they stood beside the Red Sea, we stand in the reality of our current circumstances and ask for you to part the waters on our behalf. Just as you have displayed your power through miraculous signs and wonders, we ask that you provide dry land for us as we step out in faith. Lead us each step of the way, just as you led the Israelites with a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night.

WE RECOGNIZE YOUR GENEROSITY AND BLESSINGS ALL AROUND US.

God, we thank you for the instructions you have given us. Thank you for your Holy Word that daily teaches us your ways, instructing us in how we should live in obedience and holiness. We surrender our desires to the desires of your heart; we lay aside our will in order that your will may be done. Just as you commanded Moses to follow your commands, we look to you to guide us and teach us your ways.

As we have read through the Old Testament this year, you have reminded us that you will provide for us just as you provided bread from heaven. When we are hungry, you will feed us; when we are thirsty, you will provide “water from the rock”. When our enemy throws us in “the lion’s den”, you will give us the courage to fall on our knees and pray. When the giant in front of us mocks our faith, we will stand strong in our faith. You have laid out your plans for our lives, and we want to take possession of the life you have marked out for us.

WE CONFESS WE HAVE BEEN PROUD AND STUBBORN.

There have been moments in our lives when we have paid very little attention to the commands found in the Bible. We have been selfish and proud, stubbornly wanting our own way instead of fully surrendering to yours.

But you are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to become angry, and rich in unfailing love. – Nehemiah 9:17b

You have never abandoned us, even when we put other people or things ahead of you. In your great mercy, you have spared our lives even when we deserved death. You have surrounded us with loved ones and blessed us with a community of faith.

REMEMBER THE GRACE YOU HAVE SHOWN OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

When the Israelites took possession of the land you had promised them, you went ahead of them. You fought their battles and equipped them to capture fortified cities and fertile land. You filled their pockets with good things, providing them with wells that had already been dug out, vineyards that had already been planted, and trees that already bore fruit. They ate until they were full; they grew fat on your blessings.

In spite of your generosity and protection, they chose disobedience and rebellion. When they made a mess of things and found themselves drowning in trouble, they cried out to them and you listened. In your great mercy, you freed them from their enemies.

YOU ARE THE GOD OF SECOND CHANCES.

You are a patient God. We are undeserving of the grace and mercy you so generously display on our behalf. You have shown your goodness to us time and time again, and we confess we have been fickle and wavered in our faith. Yet you hear our cries of confession and willingly forgive us of our sins.

“In view of all this, we are making a solemn promise and putting it in writing…” – Nehemiah 9:38

We take this moment to recommit our hearts to you once more. We are grateful for the opportunity to live in a covenant relationship with you, and we declare our love for you today. You are Lord and we place ourselves in the palm of your hand once more. Guide us, teach us, show us, lead us. Amen.