Topical Bible: Blessing: Temporal Blessings, Prayer For: Nehemiah

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In the biblical narrative, Nehemiah stands as a significant figure who exemplifies the power and importance of prayer for temporal blessings. As a cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia, Nehemiah held a position of influence, yet his heart was deeply burdened for the plight of his people and the desolation of Jerusalem. His account is primarily found in the Book of Nehemiah, which details his leadership in the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls and the spiritual renewal of the Jewish people.

Context and Background

Nehemiah's journey begins with a report he receives about the dire state of Jerusalem. The walls of the city were broken down, and its gates had been burned with fire (Nehemiah 1:3). This news deeply troubled Nehemiah, prompting him to seek God's favor through prayer and fasting. His prayer is a model of humility, confession, and supplication, as he acknowledges the sins of Israel and pleads for God's intervention.

Prayer for Temporal Blessings

Nehemiah's prayer for temporal blessings is recorded in Nehemiah 1:4-11. He begins by acknowledging the greatness and faithfulness of God, who keeps His covenant of love with those who love Him and keep His commandments. Nehemiah confesses the sins of the Israelites, including his own and his family's, demonstrating a deep sense of personal and communal repentance.

In his supplication, Nehemiah specifically asks for success and favor in the eyes of King Artaxerxes, as he plans to request permission to return to Jerusalem and rebuild its walls. "O Lord, let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant and to the prayer of Your servants who delight to revere Your name. Give Your servant success this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man" (Nehemiah 1:11).

Divine Response and Favor

God's response to Nehemiah's prayer is evident in the favor he receives from King Artaxerxes. The king not only grants Nehemiah permission to return to Jerusalem but also provides him with letters of safe passage and resources for the rebuilding project (Nehemiah 2:4-8). This divine favor underscores the belief that God hears and answers the prayers of His faithful servants, granting them the temporal blessings necessary to fulfill His purposes.

Leadership and Provision

Throughout the rebuilding process, Nehemiah continues to rely on prayer for guidance and provision. He faces opposition and challenges from surrounding enemies, yet he remains steadfast in his mission, continually seeking God's help. Nehemiah's leadership is marked by a balance of practical action and spiritual dependence, as he organizes the people, addresses internal issues, and ensures the work progresses despite external threats.

Nehemiah's account illustrates the biblical principle that temporal blessings, such as success, provision, and protection, are often granted in response to earnest prayer and faithful obedience. His life serves as an example of how believers can seek God's favor in their endeavors, trusting that He will provide the necessary resources and opportunities to accomplish His will.

Nave's Topical Index

Nehemiah 1:11
O LORD, I beseech you, let now your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants, who desire to fear your name: and prosper, I pray you, your servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cupbearer.
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Nehemiah 2:4
Then the king said to me, For what do you make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven.
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Nehemiah 6:9
For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.
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Library

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
... of devils "goeth not out but by prayer and fasting ... return and repent, and leave a
blessing behind him ... Nor are they only temporal blessings which God directs his ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 27 upon our lords.htm

The Privilege of Prayer
... meditate upon His works, His mercies, His blessings; but this ... are open to receive
the support and blessing of God ... We talk of temporal things because we have an ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 11 the privilege of.htm

Prayer
... God prescribed a set form of blessing for the priests. ... our prayer is not so much
for temporal mercies as ... that we may have large returns of spiritual blessings. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/4 6 prayer.htm

The Church of Christ
... through his sufferings and death, the temporal blessings which both ... sometimes will
be more of a blessing than a ... away, and forgot the old man's prayer; but it ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the church of christ.htm

Of a Private Fast.
... Satan solicited; or to obtain some special blessing which he ... thee, and bestowed so
many sweet blessings in a ... in mercy to turn away his temporal judgments from ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/i of a private fast.htm

"The House of Israel"
... evils that were robbing Israel of temporal prosperity and ... Every blessing comes from
His bountiful hand, and ... shutting from others the very blessings which God ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 59 the house of.htm

Man's Chief End
... give to another.' God will give temporal blessings to his ... honour; he will give them
spiritual blessings, he will ... This is rather to love God's blessing than to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/1 mans chief end.htm

Second Sunday after Epiphany
... is that faith brings gifts, which are its chief blessing. ... of rejoicing, not in ease
and temporal advantage, but ... the nearer is God with his eternal blessings. ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/second sunday after epiphany.htm

The Prophet Joel.
... of which in the times after Ezra and Nehemiah is mentioned ... Covenant-people, and the
time of blessing upon them ... Hebrew: Hsil] only once, in the prayer of Solomon ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet joel.htm

Covenanting Enforced by the Grant of Covenant Signs and Seals.
... the blessings of which were not merely temporal, but spiritual ... of the gospel are
the blessings of God's ... of God's covenant being dishonoured, no blessing of his ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter xi covenanting enforced by.htm