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Jim Reeves sang the song “How Long Has It Been?”. The song is referring to prayer, or as we said yesterday, communication with God.

Yesterday we spoke on how it was important to start the day in prayer and we looked at a man called Nehemiah and how he started his prayer by acknowledging who God is.

Hear the prayer that I, your servant, am praying to you day and night.

Nehemiah 1:5b

Let’s continue to look further at this man’s prayer. Remember he’s received bad news and he wants to do something about it but before he put any plan into operation he, first of all, communicates with God and he started by telling God how great He is and how much confidence he had in God.

The next thing I see in this prayer is persistence. It appears that Nehemiah prayed for four months before he put his plan into action. There is a lesson – start every day, not just an occasional day. 

Nehemiah knew it was vital to have God’s approval for that approval would bring success. It is the same for you and me. God’s approval is vital if we are to achieve anything.

Now, if you want further evidence let me point you to Jesus and what Jesus said:

Jesus used this story to teach His followers that they should always pray and never lose hope.

Luke 18:1

The Lord said, “Listen to what the unfair judge said. God will always give what is right to his people who cry to him night and day, and he will not be slow to answer them”.

Luke 18:6-7

This lady apparently was seeking justice and would not give up till she received justice. Persistence was the key.

Then Nehemiah reminds God of how much we need His forgiveness before we ask. He says, “We’ve sinned.” He says, “I confess for myself but also for my father’s house. Nehemiah pulls no punches – we have acted wickedly … we have not obeyed.” Nehemiah identifies with his nation and therefore asks God for pardon. Of course, it was not Nehemiah’s fault but that did not matter. He took responsibility collectively for a nation’s sin as did Daniel in chapter nine of his prayer. He said exactly the same thing,

So how long has it been since we took the same responsibility for our nation? Let us be Persistent and remember pardon is only a prayer away. 

Stay safe and Blessed.

Author Edward Lawrence

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