Continuing in my series of reflections on prayer...

Over the past week or so, I've posted a few prayers based on Nehemiah (please see here, here and here), and I've been continuing to ponder Nehemiah 2:5:

That made me think of Isaiah's call from the Lord:

And I heard...

Nehemiah also had heard God calling Him... In Nehemiah 2:12, we read Nehemiah refer to what "my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem."

When was the last time You heard God?

How can we hear God calling us?

How can we hear the voice of the Lord if our prayer time is full of our speaking to God?

Do we ever give Him time to speak to us?

How can we be receptive to what God is desiring to put into our hearts for His people apart from sitting silently before Him?

How can His heart's desire be implanted into our hearts apart from our cultivating listening ears before Him?

So often we think of prayer as our talking to God, a one-way street. Of course, we are to speak to God in prayer; yes, that is part of the blood-bought privilege of prayer, but let us not forget that prayer also involves our listening to God. Prayer is intimate fellowship and communion with the living God and that is a two-way communication. Certainly the living God wants to communicate to us. Certainly our God has something He wants to speak to us, does He not? He is God after all? How much time do we sit and listen to other people (conversations, messages, blogs, books, sermons), but how little time do we spend listening to our God?

How can we know God's will if we are not listening for His voice as we pray and read His Word? If we continue to speak and speak and speak, but we are never still or quiet before Him, if we never sit before Him silently, how will we hear His Holy Spirit speaking His word and His calling into our hearts? I know you are here because you have already heard Him speaking to you, that He has already been drawing you to more intimate communion with Him. I am praying He might still our souls and give us ears to hear Him, to hear His voice so we might know how He wants to send each of us...He has redeemed us so we might walk in good works He has ordained for us. O, may we not waste our lives in walking in works to which He has not called us! I am praying He would make clear to each of us what holy ambition He has for each of us. Yours will be different from mine, certainly, but let us all turn our ears to Him and listen to Him so we might hear and respond in obedience to His still small voice when He is speaking to us.

There is much rebuilding to be done in His Church. You know I am burdened for the state of the Church in much the same way Nehemiah was burdened for the people of God and the city of Jerusalem. My prayer is that as you read and reflect on these things, God would put a desire in you to go away and shut yourself into your closet and listen to Him...really listen...

I am continuing to pray He would raise up laborers for the harvest. We are all laborers called to His harvest. May He give each of you listening ears and a circumcised heart to hear and obey Him with joy, for the edification of His Church all to His glory.

~Karen

I Samuel 1:1  Now the young man Samuel was ministering to the LORD under Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.

2  At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place. 3  The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was.

4  Then the LORD called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!” 5  and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down.

6  And the LORD called again, “Samuel!” and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” 7  Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, and the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.

8  And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the LORD was calling the young man. 9  Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

10  And the LORD came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.”

Lord, You have taught us to pray.
Lord, teach us to pray again.
We are Your children only by Your love, mercy and grace.
We are not our own, we have been bought with a price, Your precious blood.
We confess we so often begin to live to ourselves.
Forgive us when we forget You have a holy calling on each of our lives.
We confess we so often speak to You and so seldom listen to You.
Forgive us for speaking when we should have been silent.
Still our hearts and souls before You.
Give us ears to hear You.
Give us ears to hear You like Your servants Nehemiah, Isaiah and Samuel.
We are Your servants, O Lord.
Our lives are not our own.
You have purchased us.
We know You have saved us so we might walk in good works by Your power, to Your glory.
We know the harvest is plentiful and the laborers are few.
We have seen the ruins.
We are mourning here.
Sometimes we don't know where to begin the ruins are so great, both in our own hearts, not to mention in the Church.
Open our ears, Lord, so we might hear Your voice over our own voice and the voices of the world and the devil.
We love You.
We love Your Church.
We know our love is small but we pray You would increase our love for You and Your Church.
We are Yours to do with as You will.
We offer ourselves to You.
Do with us as You will for the sake of Your Church, for the sake of Your Name, for Your glory alone.
Open our ears to hear.
Speak, Lord, for Your servants are listening.
Put into our hearts the holy ambition You have for each of us to serve You.
Circumcise our hearts to desire to obey Your word to us.
We are trusting You will equip us with everything we need to do Your will and work what is pleasing in Your sight (Heb. 13:
Amen.

Continuing on with another prayer from Nehemiah. (You may also wish to read through/pray my previous prayers here and here.) This incident in Nehemiah 2 takes place about four months after Nehemiah first heard of the state of Jerusalem and the exiles who'd returned from there: “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire”  (Nehemiah 1:4).

Nehemiah 2:1  In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, I took up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence. 2  And the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of the heart.” Then I was very much afraid. 3  I said to the king, “Let the king live forever! Why should not my face be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' graves, lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” 4  Then the king said to me, “What are you requesting?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. 5  And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' graves, that I may rebuild it.”

James 1:22  But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23  For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24  For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25  But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

I John 3:16  By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17  But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? 18  Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

Lord God, You have already taught us to pray...
Yet we are so slow to learn...
Father, have mercy on us.
Forgive us, for Jesus' sake.
Though we are slow to learn we come to You and ask us to teach us again...

Our Father,

How often do we hear of a need, but then soon forget? How often are we like those people in the James passage who hear but then go away and forget?

Like Nehemiah,
we have heard of the trouble and shame in the Church,
we have seen the broken down wall and gates which have been destroyed by fire,
we have been burdened to pray and fast...
but then we have gone away and forgotten what we had seen.

For a time we have prayed, but then we forget to pray.
We have looked into the mirror, but then gone away.
Forgive us Father, for being only hearers of Your word and not doers.
Forgive us for quenching and grieving Your Spirit.
Forgive us our sin, O Lord God, for Jesus' sake.
Cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Your Spirit has shown us the ruins in the Church.
We could only see them as You opened our eyes to see.
Your Spirit has burdened us and called us to pray.
We could only pray because You opened our ears to hear You.
But then we have gone away and forgotten what we have seen and heard

For a time we have prayed, but then we forget to pray.
We have looked into the mirror, but then gone away.
Forgive us Father, for being only hearers of Your word and not doers.
Forgive us for quenching and grieving Your Spirit.
Forgive us our sin, O Lord God, for Jesus' sake.
Cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Burden us again.
Open our eyes.
Open our ears.
Open our hearts.
Give us a new vision of Your holiness.
Show us once again the ruins in each of our lives and in Your Church today.
We are in great trouble and shame yet today.
Should we not still be burdened?
Should we not still be sad?
Make us intercessors after Your heart.
God forbid that we do not pray for ourselves and for Your people.

For a time we have prayed, but then we forget to pray.
We have looked into the mirror, but then gone away.
Forgive us Father, for being only hearers of Your word and not doers.
Forgive us for quenching and grieving Your Spirit.
Forgive us our sin, O Lord God, for Jesus' sake.
Cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

O, Redeemer,
We are Your people but we continue to be in great trouble and shame.
You have seen our great trouble and shame.
Surely You are burdened and sad today.
Surely You are grieved.
Surely Your Spirit has been quenched.
Increase our love for You.
Increase our love for Your people.
May we not love in word but in deed and truth.
May we return to our closets and continue to intercede for Your Church.

For a time we have prayed, but then we forget to pray.
We have looked into the mirror, but then gone away.
Forgive us Father, for being only hearers of Your word and not doers.
Forgive us for quenching and grieving Your Spirit.
Forgive us our sin, O Lord God, for Jesus' sake.
Cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Loving Father,
You loved not only in word but in deed.
You loved us and sent Your Son Jesus Christ to die for us while we were sinners.
The Lamb of God laid down His life for us to take away our sins.
He rendered Himself up for us as an offering for our sin.
He gave His all for us.
You have purchased us with His precious blood to live to You.
We are not our own, we have been bought with a price.
May we honor and love You with our all.
Put into us a willing heart.
May the desires of Christ be our delight.
May we love You and love the Your people like You.
May we love not only in word but in deed.
Make us willing to give all for You, to love like You have loved us.
May we not forget what we have seen.
May we be doers of the word and not hearers only.
Send us as You will.
May we walk in the way of our Savior.
May we lay down our lives, rather than try to save them.
May we render ourselves up to You.
May we give our all for You.
Use us as You will to rebuild the city, the city of Jerusalem, Your Church.
Send us and use us how and where You will so Your Church might be rebuilt.
Send us and use us how and where You will so Your Name might be a praise and glory in Your Church.

For a time we have prayed, but then we forget to pray.
We have looked into the mirror, but then gone away.
Forgive us Father, for being only hearers of Your word and not doers.
Forgive us for quenching and grieving Your Spirit.
Forgive us our sin, O Lord God, for Jesus' sake.
Cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Continuing on with another prayer from Nehemiah 1. (You may also wish to read through/pray the previous prayer based on Nehemiah's burden here.)

As you prayerfully read the Scriptures and the prayer below, please ask God's Holy Spirit to examine your heart and open your eyes to your sin...

Nehemiah 1:1  The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah.

Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the capital, 2  that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem. 3  And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.”

4  As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. 5  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, 6  let 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. 7  We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses. 8  Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, 9  but 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.’ 10  They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand. 11  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.”


John 16:7  Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8  And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9  concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10  concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11  concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

12  “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13  When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14  He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15  All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

Lord God, You have already taught us to pray...
Yet we are so slow to learn...
Father, have mercy on us.
Forgive us, for Jesus' sake.
Though we are slow to learn we come to You and ask us to teach us again...

O LORD God of heaven, we are in great trouble and shame.
O LORD God of heaven, how can we say You are our God if we continue walking in known sin?
O LORD God of heaven, how can we say we are glorifying You if we continue walking in known sin?
We confess we have not delighted to fear Your Name.
Help us to delight to fear Your Name once again.
Holy Spirit, come and examine the intents and motives of our hearts and minds through Your Word.

You have not sent Your Holy Spirit as a cover for our sin but to uncover our sin.
You have not sent Your Holy Spirit to comfort us in our sin but to cause us discomfort over our sin.
You have not sent Your Holy Spirit to allow us to remain unholy but to make us holy as You are holy.
You have not sent Your Holy Spirit to allow us to conform to this world but that we might be transformed into Christ's image.

We confess our sins before You.
We confess our unfaithfulness to You.
We confess we have not brought glory to You.
Our sin brings You no glory.
Our unfaithfulness brings You no glory.
We are Your People by Your sovereign grace alone.
You keep covenant with us only because You chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world.
You keep covenant with us only because of Your grace shown us while we were yet sinners and Your persevering grace to us.
You have be faithful, we have been wholly unfaithful.
We are returning to You today and appealing to Your covenant mercies poured out for us in Your Son Jesus Christ.
We have no other appeal, no other plea, but His precious blood.
Our Father, forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Through Your Holy Spirit, work in us what we cannot do:
Place into us a fear for Your Name, a desire to live holy lives and the power to live as a people holy to You so we might bring You the glory due Your Name.

O Lord, let your ear be attentive ... to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name...

O LORD God of heaven, we are in great trouble and shame.
O LORD God of heaven, how can we say You are our God if we continue walking in known sin?
O LORD God of heaven, how can we say we are glorifying You if we continue walking in known sin?
We confess we have not delighted to fear Your Name.
Help us to delight to fear Your Name once again.
Holy Spirit, come and examine the intents and motives of our hearts and minds through Your Word.

As Your people, when we sin and say it doesn't matter, we corrupt Your grace.
As Your people, when we sin and say it doesn't matter, we presume upon Your covenant mercies.
As Your people, when we sin and say it doesn't matter, we bring reproach on Your Name.
As Your people, when we sin and say it doesn't matter, we bring shame to Your holy Name.

We confess our sins before You.
We confess our unfaithfulness to You.
We confess we have not brought glory to You.
Our sin brings You no glory.
Our unfaithfulness brings You no glory.
We are Your People by Your sovereign grace alone.
You keep covenant with us only because You chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world.
You keep covenant with us only because of Your grace shown us while we were yet sinners and Your persevering grace to us.
You have be faithful, we have been wholly unfaithful.
We are returning to You today and appealing to Your covenant mercies poured out for us in Your Son Jesus Christ.
We have no other appeal, no other plea, but His precious blood.
Our Father, forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Through Your Holy Spirit, work in us what we cannot do:
Place into us a fear for Your Name, a desire to live holy lives and the power to live as a people holy to You so we might bring You the glory due Your Name.

O Lord, let your ear be attentive ... to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name...

O LORD God of heaven, we are in great trouble and shame.
O LORD God of heaven, how can we say You are our God if we continue walking in known sin?
O LORD God of heaven, how can we say we are glorifying You if we continue walking in known sin?
We confess we have not delighted to fear Your Name.
Help us to delight to fear Your Name once again.
Holy Spirit, come and examine the intents and motives of our hearts and minds through Your Word.

As Your people, when we try to be righteous in our own power, rather than trusting in Christ's righteousness, we corrupt Your grace.
As Your people, when we try to be righteous in our own power, rather than trusting in Christ's righteousness, we presume upon Your covenant mercies.
As Your people, when we try to be righteous in our own power, rather than trusting in Christ's righteousness, we bring reproach on Your Name.
As Your people, when we try to be righteous in our own power, rather than trusting in Christ's righteousness, we bring shame to Your holy Name.

We confess our sins before You.
We confess our unfaithfulness to You.
We confess we have not brought glory to You.
Our sin brings You no glory.
Our unfaithfulness brings You no glory.
We are Your People by Your sovereign grace alone.
You keep covenant with us only because You chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world.
You keep covenant with us only because of Your grace shown us while we were yet sinners and Your persevering grace.
You have be faithful, we have been wholly unfaithful.
We are returning to You today and appealing to Your covenant mercies poured out for us in Your Son Jesus Christ.
We have no other appeal, no other plea, but His precious blood.
Our Father, forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Through Your Holy Spirit, work in us what we cannot do:
Place into us a fear for Your Name, a desire to live holy lives and the power to live as a people holy to You so we might bring You the glory due Your Name.

O Lord, let your ear be attentive ... to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name...