A Few Things About Prayer
Nehemiah 1

Introduction:
A. Matthew 6:7-8
B. An old gentlemen used to pray: "Oh Lord, We know that we are
   not heard for crying and much speaking;" and then he'd 
   almost raise the roof with a loud cry and go on and on and 
   on and on! There's no need to "inform" God about what He is 
   or that Christ "loved the church, and purchased the same 
   with His own blood," etc. A prayer should differ from a 
   sermon, anyway! The prayer that Jesus taught His disciples 
   to pray contains about 66 words: Matthew 6, King James 
   Version.

I. What Should Prayer Be?
   A. We might do well, on occasions, to pray that prayer, 
      recognizing that the kingdom did come on the day of 
      Pentecost some two thousand years ago (Acts 2). It would
      give more time for other parts of the worship of God! But
      in any event, use it as a model of brevity and reverence.
   B. Many prayers recorded in the bible are extremely brief - 
      Matt 26:38-44
      1. And surely the burden of this prayer was of unspeak-
         able magnitude
   C. Other prayers recorded, or mentioned, in the Bible share
      this brevity of words.
      1. Even the prayer that is recorded in Nehemiah 1 is 
         short compared to many now said in worship! But think
         about how LONG a prayer he must have prayed when the 
         King said, "What do you request?" See Nehemiah 2:1-4
      2. Nehemiah 4:1-9 gives a good idea of how short many 
         great prayers were.
      3. Matthew 14:22-33 tells about one of Peter's prayers to
         Christ.
         a. Can you imagine Peter saying, "Oh Lord, You who are
            from everlasting to everlasting; You who are the 
            Creator and Preserver of mankind, You who are the 
            Judge of all; You before whom angels and archangels
            shall bow and cast their glittering crowns!" Peter
            was about to drown. 
         b. He needed help right then!
   D. The essence of true prayer may be found in the following
      Scriptures
      1. John 17, gives a majestic prayer, the real 'Lord's 
         Prayer' yet it is not long; not one single word is 
         used unnecessarily; every word counts. Nor does the 
         Lord wander around over all the generalities from a to
         z."
      2. Philippians 4:6-7 set forth the essence of what a 
         prayer should be: Petition God for needed blessings 
         and mercy; but don't forget to THANK HIM for those we 
         have already received, for His love, etc. 
         "Supplications" are humble entreaties.
      3. It is certainly a good idea to study much about 
         prayer; Paul said that both he and we do not know 
         what we should pray for - Rom 8:26-28
         a. And if we fail (which we will) to ask aright, 
            though doing our best, the Spirit will also make 
            intercession for us, with unutterable groanings and
            "according to the will of God." 
         b. This ought to deeply impress us, when we approach 
            the "Throne of Grace!"

II. The Scriptures teach the kind of prayers as well as the 
    kind of people whom God will hear
   A. Cornelius was "heard." - Acts 10:31
      1. If we say that saved (and he was NOT), we must also 
         say that he not only had done all he knew to DO, but 
         was pleading FOR OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR "More about 
         Jesus," for when God "heard" his prayer, that's what 
         God did for him - Acts 10:30-34 and Acts 11:11-14.
      2. Acts 10:36-38 clearly infers that Cornelius already 
         knew a great deal about Jesus
      3. It was God's will to give the Gentiles the gospel; it
         pleased God for this man to pray that he might know 
         what was appointed of Christ for him to do!
   B. James 1:2-8 teaches some very important things about 
      prayer
   C. James 4:1-4 shows why so many prayers are not "heard."
   D. 1 John 5:14 teaches a necessary thing to consider about
      our praying
   E. 1 John 3:22-23 teaches us that those who love Him and 
      keep His commandments are those whom He hears - and don't
      forget this!
      1. IF ANYBODY - saint or alien sinner - WILL NOT OBEY 
         CHRIST'S COMMANDMENTS, WITHOUT PREFERRING ONE THING 
         BEFORE ANOTHER - WITHOUT SELECTING WHAT HE WANTS TO 
         DO, GOD WILL NOT HEAR THAT PERSON.
      2. God hears those ONLY who trust and obey Him. John 9:31
         doesn't mean only what we call alien sinners.
   F. Joshua 7 is a good example of the fact that God doesn't 
      listen to people who do not listen to what He has said - 
      not even when a man like Joshua prays!

Conclusion:
A. Every Christian needs to spend time in prayer to God. Paul 
   makes that abundantly clear (2 Thess 5:17). Yet the prayers
   we pray need not be long. But they should be specific.
B. How is your prayer life? Could it use some fine-tuning? Why
   not start right now!