November 29, 2005

 

And I said: “I pray, Lord God of heaven, O great and awesome God, You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love You and observe Your commandments, please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now, day and night, for the children of Israel Your servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against You. … Now these are Your servants and Your people, whom You have redeemed by Your great power, and by Your strong hand. O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and…let Your servant prosper this day, I pray, and grant him mercy…”

--Nehemiah 1:5-11

 

In 1990, the Wall Street Journal ran an article titled, “Executives Who Rely on a Very Senior Partner.” This article covered the prayer and spiritual lives of successful executives and political leaders saying:

 

“It is difficult for many of us to deny the impact of the workings of God in the world and that includes the business world. Worship on the weekend and business as usual the rest of the week isn’t how things work. Why do so many well-known and successful executives feel that God is a dominant force in their lives and businesses? The ethics of everyday operations and how people should be treated are issues that are not covered very well in business schools or in most management books. On the other hand, students of management study the traits of successful leaders. We might do well to study the practice of executives who rely on God… Prayer as a management technique should not be discounted.”

 

Prayer really is the world’s greatest management technique. Nehemiah was God’s leader and realized the presence and power of God through prayer. In his prayer above, you can see the sanctity, sincerity, and humility of it beginning with a reverential awe of Almighty God.  We also need to come to God with a humble heart confessing our sins and praising His name.

 

The Scripture says we are to devote ourselves to prayer. Romans 12:12 says to continue “steadfastly in prayer.” I wonder in my own life sometimes when I pray: Where are the tears? Where’s the persistence? Where’s the brokenness? Let me ask you: When was the last time you missed a meal because you were praying? When was the last time you stayed up late and prayed into the night because you were burdened? Nehemiah prayed with passion, desire, and persistency. Determine to set aside other things to seek God in prayer.

 

PRAYER PUTS US IN THE POSITION TO RECEIVE WHAT GOD DESIRES TO GIVE US!