Heavenly Father, thank You for men of prayer like Paul, Nehemiah, Daniel and also the Lord Jesus, who have become such examples to follow in the important ministry of prayer. Teach me how to pray without ceasing and to pray effectively. Help me develop a practice of powerful, prolonged, and effective prayer. Use me in whatever way You choose to carry out Your plans and purposes in my life. Thank You that Your ear is ever open to my cries, whether they are simple, silent arrow-prayers, or long-term, persistent pleadings. Thank You that I have access to the throne of grace, for mercy to find help in time of need. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.
Heavenly Father, what an encouragement to read how Nehemiah bathed all his concerns in prayer and was willing to be used by You to carry out Your will in his life. Give me the courage and discernment to combine humble intercession with purposeful planning. Give me clarity of thought when I am faced with difficulties and dangers, but keep me from straying from dependence on You (which honours Your name), to becoming self-dependence. Give me wisdom in the decisions I make, and may I always be ready to give an answer for the faith I have in You, for Your greater praise and glory. This I ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.
Heavenly Father, it is such an encouragement to see the way You used Nehemiah to answer his own prayers, because he was praying into Your will through a knowledge of Your Word. I pray that the thoughts of my heart would be brought into alignment with the desires of Your heart. Make me willing to be used by You in whatever way You choose and keep me ever looking to Jesus, by submitting my will to the Spirit's leading, trusting Your Word, and living in total dependence upon You. This I ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.