Day 7: Plea for God’s Ear

Week One: Look, Mourn, Confess

Written by Rev. John Stitt

Day 7: Plea for God’s Ear

September 20, 2024

Nehemiah 1:5-7

"...I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments: let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned. We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses."

Devotional

Welcome to The Turnaround’s 52 Days of Prayer!

Introduction

When Nehemiah first heard that the walls of Jerusalem were broken down and its gates had been burned with fire. He responded like any of us would respond if we heard our hometown had been destroyed. He wept, he mourned, fasted and prayed for many days, during his mourning he was made aware of the covenant God had made with His people under the leadership of Moses.

1. Nehemiah identified the problem; His people had broken covenant with God, they were Indifferent to the things of God.
2.Nehemiah took ownership in his part in contributing to the indifference.

Insight

I saw a parallel application in America today. The spiritual values upon which this great nation was founded are being torn down. There is a national epidemic of apathy and indifference toward the Kingdom of God. The question is, what are you going to do about it? The solution is for every Christian, (my people) to take responsibility for their own indifference and apathy towards this national emergency.

Nehemiah prayed: we have sinned against You. Both my father’s house and I have sinned.
Nehemiah’s action: He made prayer a priority in his life. He stayed committed until the wall was rebuilt. You must make prayer a priority in your life. Our responsibility for the Kingdom of God doesn’t end when these 52 turnaround days are over. We must continue to intercede and pray for America.

Prayer

Our father and our God, we come to you in the name that is above every name, Jesus, who taught us to pray. We as your people ask forgiveness for our apathy and indifference to the establishment of your Kingdom in our generation. Today, with your help, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we boldly declare that your Kingdom reigns over America. We pledge and commit ourselves to turn from sin and hold fast to your promise that you, Our Great and Awesome God, will hear our prayers and heal our land. These things we pray in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen