Method of Prayer
Nehemiah 1:1–11
I . . . mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. Nehemiah 1:4
There is an acrostic for prayer that you have probably heard: ACTS. In this acrostic, A stands for adoration, C for confession, T for thanksgiving, and S for supplication. Each of these is present in Nehemiah’s model prayer.
The first is adoration. It is expressed in this sentence: “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 . . . ” (v. 5). It is a short statement but it acknowledges several great attributes of God: his sovereignty, love, and faithfulness.
The second element in Nehemiah’s prayer is confession of sin: “. . . confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have 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” (vv. 6–7).
Nehemiah knew that the sin of the Israelites had caused the judgment of God that resulted in the destruction of Jerusalem. If Jerusalem were to be restored, it would need to be restored upon the basis of a confession of these sins. So Nehemiah is specific about them. Note that Nehemiah recognizes the principle of solidarity—he is one with the people, so his sins are their sins and theirs are his. Furthermore, Nehemiah recognizes that he is himself a sinner. There is no sin of the people that led to the fall of Jerusalem of which he is not guilty or is not capable of having done in the same circumstances.
The third element in this prayer is thanksgiving. It is expressed in Nehemiah’s review of God’s promises: “Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘. . . though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’ They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand” (vv. 8–10).
The final element in the ACTS acrostic is supplication, which Nehemiah employs as a conclusion to his prayer: “O 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” (v. 11).
A leader sees the needs of others and grieves over them. Nehemiah saw the need and wept. But even more important than his tears was the fact that Nehemiah prayed. More important than his friendship with people was his friendship with God, since it is God alone who is able to change hearts, move kingdoms, and provide for our many needs.
Taken from Come to the Waters by James Boice ISBN 9798887790954 used with permission from P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg NJ 08865
Scripture quotations are from the ESV (the Holy Bible English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.