Nehemiah Background:
• 587 BC - God’s people begin exile
• 538 BC - Zerubbabel leads Jews back to rebuild the temple
• 458 BC - Ezra leads Jews back to re-establish life under God’s law
• 445 BC - Nehemiah’s story begins by hearing a sad report
Before God can use our broken hearts:
1. We’ve got to hurt (4a)
• Over our own sin
• Over sin’s consequences in the world
2. We must turn to God in our hurt (4b)
• Instead of avoiding/blaming God
• See how Nehemiah did it!
Nehemiah’s prayer as an example for us:
• Recognize who God is (5)
• Confess our sin (6-8)
• Place hope in God’s promises (9-10)
• Ask for God’s favor as you take action (11)
During our prayer time, ask God’s Spirit to allow you to hurt over your own sin and its consequences. Ask God to use your broken heart.