WEBVTT

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 I'm going to come and preach for us this morning from Nehemiah chapter 1.

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 Good morning, everybody.

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 So if you could open your Bibles, please, to Nehemiah chapter 1.

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 Nehemiah chapter 1, that's on page 484 of the Church Bible, if you're using that.

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 Nehemiah is going to come up to read it for us in just a moment.

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 Just for some context before she does, originally, Ezra and Nehemiah were one book together in the Hebrew Scriptures.

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 The early church fathers split this book into two sections, Ezra and Nehemiah, which is why we have the book split up in our Bibles today.

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 But Nehemiah must be read as a direct continuation of the book of Ezra.

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 So we pick up from where we left off last week.

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 The story is this.

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 After Ezra returned from Babylon with a second group of Israelites and taught the law again to the people,

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 at this point, Nehemiah, we now skip forward 12 years after that,

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 and Nehemiah was raised up by God to spearhead the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem.

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 And we are about to read his words.

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 Before we read them, let's pray and ask for God's help.

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 Father, thank you that we've already been hearing you speak to us this morning through Scripture,

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 through songs filled with Scripture.

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 God, as we turn to these words now,

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 help us to hear what you have to say.

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 Speak to our hearts.

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 Show us your will for us in Christ.

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 Amen.

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 Thanks, Evie.

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 Good morning, everyone.

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 Nehemiah chapter 1.

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 Nehemiah's prayer.

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 The words of Nehemiah, son of Hakaliah,

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 in the month of Kislev, in the twentieth year,

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 while I was in the citadel of Susa,

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 Hanani, one of my brothers,

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 came from Judah with some other men,

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 and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant

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 that had survived the exile,

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 and also about Jerusalem.

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 They said to me,

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 Those who survived the exile are back in the province

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 and are in great trouble and disgrace.

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 The wall of Jerusalem is broken down,

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 and its gates have been burned with fire.

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 When I heard these things,

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 I sat down and wept.

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 For some days I mourned and fasted

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 and prayed before the God of heaven.

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 Then I said,

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 Lord, the God of heaven,

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 the great and awesome God,

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 who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him

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 and keep his commandments.

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 Let your ear be attentive

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 and your eyes open to hear the prayer

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 your servant is praying before you,

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 day and night for your servants.

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 The people of Israel,

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 I confess the sins we Israelites,

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 including myself and my father's family,

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 have committed against you.

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 We have acted very wickedly towards you.

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 We have not obeyed your commands,

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 decrees, and laws you gave your servant Moses.

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 Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses,

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 saying,

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 If you are unfaithful,

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 I will scatter you among the nations.

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 But if you return to me and obey my commands,

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 then,

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 even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon,

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 I will gather them from there

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 and bring them to the place I have chosen

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 as a dwelling for my name.

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 They are your servants and your people,

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 whom you redeemed by your great strength

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 and your mighty hand.

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 Lord,

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 let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this,

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 your servant,

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 and to the prayer of your servants,

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 you delight in revering your name.

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 Give your servant success today

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 by granting him favour in the presence of this man.

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 I was the cupbearer to the king.

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 Thank you, Edie.

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 Do you ever see your brother or sister in Christ

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 going through a period of intense trouble

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 in their lives

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 and you feel powerless to help?

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 You see their vulnerability,

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 whether that's through some serious illness

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 or intense pressure at work

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 or some family situation they're navigating.

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 And you wonder,

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 how will they make it through?

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 How will they be protected?

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 How can I support them?

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 This was Nehemiah's situation.

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 He was in Susa,

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 a city in Persia,

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 so far away

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 from the people of God

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 in Jerusalem.

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 His brother

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 comes from Jerusalem

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 with a report

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 of how the people of God

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 are doing there.

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 And this is what he said.

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 Look at verse 3 again.

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 They said to me,

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 those who survived the exile

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 and are back in the province

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 are in great trouble and disgrace.

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 The wall of Jerusalem is broken down.

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 Its gates have been burned with fire.

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 When I heard these things,

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 I sat down and wept.

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 For some days I mourned

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 and fasted

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 and prayed

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 before the God of heaven.

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 You can hear the devastation

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 in Nehemiah's voice here.

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 Hearing the trouble

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 that God's people are going through,

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 they are vulnerable to attack

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 because of the lack of physical protection.

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 The walls are broken down.

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 Yet of all the things

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 that Nehemiah

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 could do to help his people,

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 his priority is to pray.

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 I think that's remarkable.

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 And if you read through the rest

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 of the book of Nehemiah,

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 through the story,

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 you'll actually see repeatedly

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 Nehemiah turns to God

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 in prayer.

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 In this chapter,

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 we're going to deal with two main things.

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 First, a question.

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 How can sinful people

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 like Nehemiah

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 and you and me

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 ever be worthy

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 to approach

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 this holy God in prayer?

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 And we're secondly going to see

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 an observation.

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 that God

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 protects

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 his people

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 as they pray

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 his promises

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 into each other's lives.

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 So first,

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 the gracious

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 privilege

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 of prayer

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 drawing near

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 in Christ.

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 Our question again

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 is this,

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 how can sinful people

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 ever be worthy

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 enough to approach

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 a holy

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 and righteous

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 God

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 in prayer?

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 What qualifies us

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 to speak

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 to him

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 for us,

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 for him to even

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 consider

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 our requests?

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 Nehemiah sees

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 this problem

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 at the start

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 of his prayer.

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 Have a look

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 at verse 5.

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 Then Nehemiah said,

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 Lord,

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 the God

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 of heaven,

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 the great

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 and awesome

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 God

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 who keeps

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 his covenant

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 of love

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 with those

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 who love him

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 and keep

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 his commandments.

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 That's who God

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 is.

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 But then he's faced

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 with the reality

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 of who he is.

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 He and his people

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 have been the opposite

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 of faithful.

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 Look at verse 6.

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 He says,

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 let your ear

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 be attentive

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 and your eyes

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 open

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 to hear the prayer.

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 your servant

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 is praying

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 before you

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 day and night

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 for your servants,

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 the people of Israel.

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 I confess

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 the sins

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 we Israelites,

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 including myself

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 and my father's family,

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 have committed

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 against you.

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 We have acted

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 very wickedly

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 toward you.

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 We have not

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 obeyed

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 the commands,

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 decrees,

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 and laws

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 you gave

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 your servant

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 Moses.

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 You see,

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 Nehemiah

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 understands

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 he has no

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 right

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 in and of

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 himself

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 to draw

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 near to God

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 in prayer,

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 to be heard

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 by God.

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 And that's why

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 he twice

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 in this chapter

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 pleads

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 for God

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 just to hear him.

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 We need

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 to feel this too.

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 In and of

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 ourselves,

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 we have

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 no right

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 to be heard

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 by God.

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 Because of

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 the filth

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 of our sin,

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 because of

00:10:32.420 --> 00:10:33.379
 our unfaithfulness

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 to him,

00:10:34.279 --> 00:10:34.980
 we cannot

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 in and of

00:10:36.639 --> 00:10:37.220
 ourselves

00:10:37.220 --> 00:10:38.420
 approach

00:10:38.420 --> 00:10:39.039
 God

00:10:39.039 --> 00:10:39.960
 in his

00:10:39.960 --> 00:10:40.639
 holiness

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 and his

00:10:41.759 --> 00:10:42.620
 perfection.

00:10:43.980 --> 00:10:44.899
 So how

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 does

00:10:45.340 --> 00:10:46.200
 Nehemiah

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 have the

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 confidence

00:10:47.360 --> 00:10:48.060
 to approach

00:10:48.060 --> 00:10:48.399
 God

00:10:48.399 --> 00:10:48.920
 in prayer

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 here?

00:10:50.300 --> 00:10:50.580
 Well,

00:10:50.620 --> 00:10:51.000
 the chapter

00:10:51.000 --> 00:10:51.659
 just before

00:10:51.659 --> 00:10:52.120
 in Ezra

00:10:52.120 --> 00:10:52.639
 showed us

00:10:52.639 --> 00:10:53.080
 how.

00:10:53.639 --> 00:10:53.939
 And we

00:10:53.939 --> 00:10:54.559
 covered this

00:10:54.559 --> 00:10:55.519
 last week.

00:10:55.960 --> 00:10:56.519
 Nehemiah,

00:10:57.080 --> 00:10:57.699
 as part of

00:10:57.699 --> 00:10:58.139
 God's

00:10:58.139 --> 00:10:58.939
 old

00:10:58.939 --> 00:10:59.860
 covenant

00:10:59.860 --> 00:11:00.539
 people

00:11:00.539 --> 00:11:01.500
 before Christ,

00:11:02.220 --> 00:11:03.179
 had faith

00:11:03.179 --> 00:11:04.960
 that God

00:11:04.960 --> 00:11:05.860
 would forgive

00:11:05.860 --> 00:11:06.879
 his people

00:11:06.879 --> 00:11:08.019
 because of

00:11:08.019 --> 00:11:08.980
 a sacrifice

00:11:08.980 --> 00:11:10.220
 being made

00:11:10.220 --> 00:11:11.100
 for their

00:11:11.100 --> 00:11:11.519
 sin.

00:11:12.580 --> 00:11:13.439
 And they

00:11:13.439 --> 00:11:14.379
 knew that

00:11:14.379 --> 00:11:15.580
 the thousands

00:11:15.580 --> 00:11:16.199
 of animal

00:11:16.199 --> 00:11:17.019
 sacrifices

00:11:17.019 --> 00:11:17.939
 that the

00:11:17.939 --> 00:11:18.220
 Israelites

00:11:18.220 --> 00:11:19.080
 made year

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 after year,

00:11:19.720 --> 00:11:20.800
 they knew

00:11:20.800 --> 00:11:21.700
 that those

00:11:21.700 --> 00:11:22.360
 sacrifices

00:11:22.360 --> 00:11:22.779
 didn't

00:11:22.779 --> 00:11:23.100
 actually

00:11:23.100 --> 00:11:23.600
 cover the

00:11:23.600 --> 00:11:23.779
 sin.

00:11:24.120 --> 00:11:24.320
 They

00:11:24.320 --> 00:11:24.620
 didn't

00:11:24.620 --> 00:11:24.940
 truly

00:11:24.940 --> 00:11:25.440
 atone.

00:11:27.000 --> 00:11:27.460
 These

00:11:27.460 --> 00:11:28.259
 sacrifices

00:11:28.259 --> 00:11:28.840
 were merely

00:11:28.840 --> 00:11:29.279
 pointing

00:11:29.279 --> 00:11:29.899
 forward

00:11:29.899 --> 00:11:30.759
 to the

00:11:30.759 --> 00:11:31.200
 true

00:11:31.200 --> 00:11:31.860
 and

00:11:31.860 --> 00:11:32.440
 ultimate

00:11:32.440 --> 00:11:33.420
 sacrifice

00:11:33.420 --> 00:11:34.639
 to come.

00:11:35.019 --> 00:11:35.420
 Jesus

00:11:35.420 --> 00:11:36.460
 Christ,

00:11:37.360 --> 00:11:38.080
 whose blood

00:11:38.080 --> 00:11:38.940
 would atone

00:11:38.940 --> 00:11:39.779
 for all

00:11:39.779 --> 00:11:40.480
 his people's

00:11:40.480 --> 00:11:40.680
 sin,

00:11:40.980 --> 00:11:41.340
 past,

00:11:41.620 --> 00:11:41.960
 present,

00:11:42.420 --> 00:11:42.759
 future.

00:11:42.759 --> 00:11:43.659
 So Nehemiah,

00:11:43.919 --> 00:11:45.120
 he's looking

00:11:45.120 --> 00:11:46.059
 forward in

00:11:46.059 --> 00:11:47.840
 faith to

00:11:47.840 --> 00:11:48.600
 that final

00:11:48.600 --> 00:11:49.399
 sacrifice,

00:11:50.460 --> 00:11:50.879
 and God

00:11:50.879 --> 00:11:51.379
 had mercy

00:11:51.379 --> 00:11:51.819
 on him

00:11:51.819 --> 00:11:53.500
 and welcomed

00:11:53.500 --> 00:11:54.819
 him and

00:11:54.819 --> 00:11:55.799
 heard his

00:11:55.799 --> 00:11:56.279
 prayers.

00:11:57.379 --> 00:11:57.899
 We,

00:11:58.139 --> 00:11:59.399
 we look

00:11:59.399 --> 00:12:00.860
 back in

00:12:00.860 --> 00:12:01.580
 faith at

00:12:01.580 --> 00:12:02.100
 that same

00:12:02.100 --> 00:12:02.799
 sacrifice,

00:12:03.600 --> 00:12:04.439
 Jesus Christ,

00:12:05.720 --> 00:12:06.740
 knowing that

00:12:06.740 --> 00:12:07.480
 he was the

00:12:07.480 --> 00:12:08.700
 true Lamb

00:12:08.700 --> 00:12:09.720
 of God.

00:12:09.799 --> 00:12:10.179
 And as we

00:12:10.179 --> 00:12:10.620
 put our

00:12:10.620 --> 00:12:11.539
 faith in

00:12:11.539 --> 00:12:12.019
 Christ,

00:12:12.480 --> 00:12:12.980
 we are

00:12:12.980 --> 00:12:13.559
 forgiven of

00:12:13.559 --> 00:12:13.919
 all our

00:12:13.919 --> 00:12:14.199
 sin,

00:12:14.919 --> 00:12:15.419
 and we

00:12:15.419 --> 00:12:15.899
 are given

00:12:15.899 --> 00:12:17.199
 Christ's

00:12:17.199 --> 00:12:18.459
 right standing

00:12:18.459 --> 00:12:19.740
 before

00:12:19.740 --> 00:12:20.639
 God.

00:12:20.939 --> 00:12:21.339
 Now,

00:12:21.519 --> 00:12:22.339
 just listen

00:12:22.339 --> 00:12:23.299
 to what

00:12:23.299 --> 00:12:24.120
 that means

00:12:24.120 --> 00:12:25.059
 for you

00:12:25.059 --> 00:12:25.360
 and I.

00:12:25.439 --> 00:12:25.779
 This is

00:12:25.779 --> 00:12:26.860
 from Hebrews

00:12:26.860 --> 00:12:27.980
 chapter 10.

00:12:28.319 --> 00:12:28.779
 You can read

00:12:28.779 --> 00:12:29.360
 along with me.

00:12:29.539 --> 00:12:29.779
 It says,

00:12:29.779 --> 00:12:30.120
 Therefore,

00:12:30.399 --> 00:12:30.839
 brothers and

00:12:30.839 --> 00:12:31.219
 sisters,

00:12:32.299 --> 00:12:32.980
 since we

00:12:32.980 --> 00:12:34.199
 have confidence

00:12:34.199 --> 00:12:35.819
 to enter

00:12:35.819 --> 00:12:36.860
 the most

00:12:36.860 --> 00:12:38.159
 holy place,

00:12:38.179 --> 00:12:38.500
 that is

00:12:38.500 --> 00:12:39.019
 God's

00:12:39.019 --> 00:12:39.599
 presence,

00:12:40.339 --> 00:12:40.980
 by the

00:12:40.980 --> 00:12:42.120
 blood of

00:12:42.120 --> 00:12:42.740
 Jesus,

00:12:43.560 --> 00:12:44.779
 by a

00:12:44.779 --> 00:12:45.200
 new and

00:12:45.200 --> 00:12:45.920
 living way

00:12:45.920 --> 00:12:46.759
 opened for

00:12:46.759 --> 00:12:47.779
 us through

00:12:47.779 --> 00:12:48.460
 the curtain

00:12:48.460 --> 00:12:49.480
 that is

00:12:49.480 --> 00:12:50.000
 his body,

00:12:50.720 --> 00:12:51.960
 and since

00:12:51.960 --> 00:12:52.460
 we have a

00:12:52.460 --> 00:12:53.440
 great priest

00:12:53.440 --> 00:12:54.480
 over the

00:12:54.480 --> 00:12:54.960
 house of

00:12:54.960 --> 00:12:55.360
 God,

00:12:56.039 --> 00:12:56.320
 Jesus,

00:12:57.759 --> 00:12:58.620
 let us

00:12:58.620 --> 00:12:59.840
 draw near

00:12:59.840 --> 00:13:00.960
 to God

00:13:00.960 --> 00:13:01.560
 with a

00:13:01.560 --> 00:13:02.019
 sincere

00:13:02.019 --> 00:13:02.560
 heart,

00:13:03.740 --> 00:13:04.060
 and with

00:13:04.060 --> 00:13:04.639
 the full

00:13:04.639 --> 00:13:05.340
 assurance

00:13:05.340 --> 00:13:06.639
 that faith

00:13:06.639 --> 00:13:07.220
 brings,

00:13:07.720 --> 00:13:08.220
 having our

00:13:08.220 --> 00:13:08.480
 hearts

00:13:08.480 --> 00:13:09.480
 sprinkled

00:13:09.480 --> 00:13:10.360
 to cleanse

00:13:10.360 --> 00:13:10.779
 us from

00:13:10.779 --> 00:13:11.180
 a guilty

00:13:11.180 --> 00:13:11.879
 conscience,

00:13:12.360 --> 00:13:12.920
 and having

00:13:12.920 --> 00:13:13.480
 our bodies

00:13:13.480 --> 00:13:14.019
 washed

00:13:14.019 --> 00:13:15.180
 with pure

00:13:15.180 --> 00:13:15.680
 water.

00:13:16.100 --> 00:13:16.480
 You see,

00:13:17.080 --> 00:13:17.899
 if you

00:13:17.899 --> 00:13:18.560
 are in

00:13:18.560 --> 00:13:19.019
 Christ

00:13:19.019 --> 00:13:19.620
 today,

00:13:20.820 --> 00:13:21.519
 you can

00:13:21.519 --> 00:13:22.379
 have total

00:13:22.379 --> 00:13:23.200
 confidence

00:13:23.200 --> 00:13:24.560
 to approach

00:13:24.560 --> 00:13:25.700
 a father

00:13:25.700 --> 00:13:26.860
 in prayer.

00:13:28.220 --> 00:13:28.920
 Cleansed

00:13:28.920 --> 00:13:29.659
 by Jesus'

00:13:30.019 --> 00:13:30.399
 blood,

00:13:30.960 --> 00:13:31.379
 you can

00:13:31.379 --> 00:13:32.519
 draw near

00:13:32.519 --> 00:13:33.340
 to the

00:13:33.340 --> 00:13:33.800
 God of

00:13:33.800 --> 00:13:34.519
 heaven with

00:13:34.519 --> 00:13:35.220
 full assurance

00:13:35.220 --> 00:13:35.820
 that you're

00:13:35.820 --> 00:13:37.100
 welcomed in

00:13:37.100 --> 00:13:37.920
 his presence.

00:13:39.580 --> 00:13:39.960
 You're

00:13:39.960 --> 00:13:41.019
 invited to

00:13:41.019 --> 00:13:41.940
 speak to

00:13:41.940 --> 00:13:42.860
 him, to

00:13:42.860 --> 00:13:44.500
 present your

00:13:44.500 --> 00:13:45.460
 requests,

00:13:45.940 --> 00:13:46.960
 welcomed and

00:13:46.960 --> 00:13:48.000
 delighted in

00:13:48.000 --> 00:13:48.700
 as if you

00:13:48.700 --> 00:13:49.100
 were his

00:13:49.100 --> 00:13:49.960
 very own

00:13:49.960 --> 00:13:50.379
 son,

00:13:51.000 --> 00:13:51.340
 Jesus

00:13:51.340 --> 00:13:51.860
 Christ.

00:13:54.180 --> 00:13:55.259
 May we

00:13:55.259 --> 00:13:56.360
 never forget

00:13:56.360 --> 00:13:58.480
 that prayer

00:13:58.480 --> 00:13:59.139
 is the

00:13:59.139 --> 00:13:59.800
 gracious

00:13:59.800 --> 00:14:01.060
 privilege

00:14:01.060 --> 00:14:01.879
 given to

00:14:01.879 --> 00:14:02.740
 all those

00:14:02.740 --> 00:14:03.340
 who have

00:14:03.340 --> 00:14:03.960
 been made

00:14:03.960 --> 00:14:05.259
 right with

00:14:05.259 --> 00:14:06.340
 God in

00:14:06.340 --> 00:14:06.740
 Christ?

00:14:07.139 --> 00:14:08.060
 Friend here

00:14:08.060 --> 00:14:08.860
 today who

00:14:08.860 --> 00:14:09.379
 has not

00:14:09.379 --> 00:14:10.220
 yet put

00:14:10.220 --> 00:14:11.300
 your trust

00:14:11.300 --> 00:14:12.280
 in Christ.

00:14:12.620 --> 00:14:13.000
 May I

00:14:13.000 --> 00:14:13.440
 speak to

00:14:13.440 --> 00:14:13.780
 you for

00:14:13.780 --> 00:14:14.240
 a moment?

00:14:16.379 --> 00:14:17.580
 The truth

00:14:17.580 --> 00:14:18.120
 of God's

00:14:18.120 --> 00:14:18.660
 word is

00:14:18.660 --> 00:14:19.820
 that you

00:14:19.820 --> 00:14:21.000
 stand in

00:14:21.000 --> 00:14:21.600
 God's

00:14:21.600 --> 00:14:22.560
 condemnation

00:14:22.560 --> 00:14:23.480
 for your

00:14:23.480 --> 00:14:23.780
 sin.

00:14:26.340 --> 00:14:27.480
 Look at

00:14:27.480 --> 00:14:28.100
 Christ

00:14:28.100 --> 00:14:29.780
 dying for

00:14:29.780 --> 00:14:30.600
 you on

00:14:30.600 --> 00:14:31.139
 the cross.

00:14:32.440 --> 00:14:32.900
 His

00:14:32.900 --> 00:14:34.259
 blood was

00:14:34.259 --> 00:14:35.200
 poured out

00:14:35.200 --> 00:14:35.860
 so that

00:14:35.860 --> 00:14:36.780
 you might

00:14:36.780 --> 00:14:37.379
 be forgiven,

00:14:38.080 --> 00:14:38.920
 so that

00:14:38.920 --> 00:14:39.280
 you might

00:14:39.280 --> 00:14:40.140
 be welcomed

00:14:40.140 --> 00:14:40.520
 as a

00:14:40.520 --> 00:14:40.960
 child of

00:14:40.960 --> 00:14:41.140
 God,

00:14:41.259 --> 00:14:42.160
 no longer

00:14:42.160 --> 00:14:43.080
 God's

00:14:43.080 --> 00:14:43.740
 enemy.

00:14:45.520 --> 00:14:46.160
 Christ

00:14:46.160 --> 00:14:46.960
 bids you

00:14:46.960 --> 00:14:47.500
 to come

00:14:47.500 --> 00:14:48.720
 and to

00:14:48.720 --> 00:14:49.460
 repent of

00:14:49.460 --> 00:14:50.020
 your sin

00:14:50.020 --> 00:14:50.620
 and to

00:14:50.620 --> 00:14:51.600
 receive him

00:14:51.600 --> 00:14:52.740
 in faith

00:14:52.740 --> 00:14:53.400
 today and

00:14:53.400 --> 00:14:53.840
 to know

00:14:53.840 --> 00:14:54.840
 the privilege

00:14:54.840 --> 00:14:56.520
 of drawing

00:14:56.520 --> 00:14:57.180
 near to

00:14:57.180 --> 00:14:57.620
 him, no

00:14:57.620 --> 00:14:58.400
 longer ashamed

00:14:58.400 --> 00:14:58.740
 of your

00:14:58.740 --> 00:14:59.160
 sin,

00:15:00.780 --> 00:15:01.700
 made right

00:15:01.700 --> 00:15:03.000
 in

00:15:03.000 --> 00:15:03.520
 Christ,

00:15:04.379 --> 00:15:04.920
 welcomed

00:15:04.920 --> 00:15:05.980
 as his

00:15:05.980 --> 00:15:06.379
 child.

00:15:08.500 --> 00:15:09.420
 So first,

00:15:09.940 --> 00:15:11.520
 the gracious

00:15:11.520 --> 00:15:12.520
 privilege of

00:15:12.520 --> 00:15:12.759
 prayer.

00:15:13.000 --> 00:15:13.340
 We are

00:15:13.340 --> 00:15:14.780
 heard in

00:15:14.780 --> 00:15:15.280
 Christ.

00:15:16.920 --> 00:15:17.280
 Next,

00:15:17.600 --> 00:15:19.080
 what does

00:15:19.080 --> 00:15:19.860
 this privilege

00:15:19.860 --> 00:15:20.520
 of prayer

00:15:20.520 --> 00:15:22.840
 mean as

00:15:22.840 --> 00:15:23.400
 we support

00:15:23.400 --> 00:15:24.120
 brothers and

00:15:24.120 --> 00:15:24.960
 sisters who

00:15:24.960 --> 00:15:25.379
 are going

00:15:25.379 --> 00:15:26.040
 through their

00:15:26.040 --> 00:15:27.180
 trouble, as

00:15:27.180 --> 00:15:27.780
 was the case

00:15:27.779 --> 00:15:28.759
 for Nehemiah?

00:15:30.039 --> 00:15:31.059
 Consider with

00:15:31.059 --> 00:15:31.459
 me the

00:15:31.459 --> 00:15:31.939
 humbling

00:15:31.939 --> 00:15:32.779
 priority

00:15:32.779 --> 00:15:34.339
 of prayer.

00:15:35.839 --> 00:15:36.360
 Now, if

00:15:36.360 --> 00:15:36.659
 you look at

00:15:36.659 --> 00:15:37.019
 the very

00:15:37.019 --> 00:15:37.740
 end of

00:15:37.740 --> 00:15:38.600
 verse 11,

00:15:40.459 --> 00:15:40.819
 Nehemiah

00:15:40.819 --> 00:15:41.539
 tells us

00:15:41.539 --> 00:15:42.679
 his job

00:15:42.679 --> 00:15:43.279
 occupation.

00:15:44.860 --> 00:15:45.679
 He was

00:15:45.679 --> 00:15:46.600
 cupbearer

00:15:46.600 --> 00:15:47.839
 to King

00:15:47.839 --> 00:15:48.860
 Artaxerxes,

00:15:49.220 --> 00:15:49.980
 the emperor

00:15:49.980 --> 00:15:50.360
 of the

00:15:50.360 --> 00:15:51.059
 Persian Empire,

00:15:51.199 --> 00:15:51.519
 the most

00:15:51.519 --> 00:15:52.240
 powerful man

00:15:52.240 --> 00:15:52.600
 on earth

00:15:52.600 --> 00:15:52.980
 at that

00:15:52.980 --> 00:15:53.319
 time.

00:15:54.959 --> 00:15:55.100
 Now,

00:15:55.139 --> 00:15:55.419
 Persian

00:15:55.419 --> 00:15:56.699
 records tell

00:15:56.699 --> 00:15:57.100
 us that

00:15:57.100 --> 00:15:57.800
 out of

00:15:57.800 --> 00:15:58.639
 13 kings

00:15:58.639 --> 00:15:59.000
 in this

00:15:59.000 --> 00:15:59.360
 Persian

00:15:59.360 --> 00:15:59.800
 dynasty,

00:16:00.159 --> 00:16:00.519
 six of

00:16:00.519 --> 00:16:00.759
 them were

00:16:00.759 --> 00:16:01.420
 assassinated.

00:16:03.700 --> 00:16:04.060
 In fact,

00:16:04.220 --> 00:16:04.700
 Artaxerxes'

00:16:04.860 --> 00:16:05.159
 father,

00:16:05.300 --> 00:16:05.620
 Xerxes,

00:16:05.759 --> 00:16:06.000
 was.

00:16:08.000 --> 00:16:08.480
 Easiest

00:16:08.480 --> 00:16:08.840
 way to

00:16:08.840 --> 00:16:09.139
 kill a

00:16:09.139 --> 00:16:09.379
 king?

00:16:11.540 --> 00:16:12.100
 Sneak a

00:16:12.100 --> 00:16:12.519
 bit of

00:16:12.519 --> 00:16:13.139
 cyanide

00:16:13.139 --> 00:16:13.540
 into his

00:16:13.540 --> 00:16:15.100
 wine or

00:16:15.100 --> 00:16:15.519
 into his

00:16:15.519 --> 00:16:15.960
 food.

00:16:18.340 --> 00:16:18.820
 Artaxerxes

00:16:18.820 --> 00:16:20.080
 put his

00:16:20.080 --> 00:16:21.639
 life in

00:16:21.639 --> 00:16:22.420
 Nehemiah's

00:16:22.420 --> 00:16:23.820
 hands by

00:16:23.820 --> 00:16:24.580
 making him

00:16:24.580 --> 00:16:25.320
 his

00:16:25.320 --> 00:16:26.019
 cupbearer.

00:16:26.540 --> 00:16:27.080
 And being

00:16:27.080 --> 00:16:27.720
 so trusted,

00:16:27.860 --> 00:16:28.160
 the king

00:16:28.160 --> 00:16:29.000
 would also

00:16:29.000 --> 00:16:29.740
 have looked

00:16:29.740 --> 00:16:31.240
 to Nehemiah

00:16:31.240 --> 00:16:31.560
 as a

00:16:31.560 --> 00:16:32.060
 confidant.

00:16:34.240 --> 00:16:34.900
 Nehemiah

00:16:34.900 --> 00:16:36.000
 has position,

00:16:36.800 --> 00:16:37.280
 power,

00:16:37.900 --> 00:16:38.800
 and influence.

00:16:40.280 --> 00:16:41.060
 And when

00:16:41.060 --> 00:16:41.759
 he hears

00:16:41.759 --> 00:16:42.340
 that God's

00:16:42.340 --> 00:16:42.920
 people are

00:16:42.920 --> 00:16:43.720
 in great

00:16:43.720 --> 00:16:44.300
 trouble and

00:16:44.300 --> 00:16:45.320
 disgrace in

00:16:45.320 --> 00:16:45.800
 Jerusalem,

00:16:46.160 --> 00:16:46.860
 we are

00:16:46.860 --> 00:16:47.220
 thinking,

00:16:47.620 --> 00:16:47.920
 man,

00:16:47.980 --> 00:16:48.240
 you've got

00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:48.480
 to do

00:16:48.480 --> 00:16:48.780
 something,

00:16:48.879 --> 00:16:49.180
 Nehemiah.

00:16:50.740 --> 00:16:51.420
 You've got

00:16:51.420 --> 00:16:51.700
 to say

00:16:51.700 --> 00:16:52.120
 something.

00:16:52.280 --> 00:16:52.560
 Act

00:16:52.560 --> 00:16:53.420
 swiftly.

00:16:53.419 --> 00:16:55.679
 The people

00:16:55.679 --> 00:16:57.000
 need you.

00:16:59.500 --> 00:17:00.759
 But Nehemiah's

00:17:00.759 --> 00:17:01.899
 first act

00:17:01.899 --> 00:17:03.000
 in verse 5

00:17:03.000 --> 00:17:04.240
 surprises us

00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:06.539
 because he

00:17:06.539 --> 00:17:07.500
 turns to

00:17:07.500 --> 00:17:08.200
 prayer,

00:17:09.399 --> 00:17:10.159
 fervent,

00:17:11.440 --> 00:17:12.039
 persistent

00:17:12.039 --> 00:17:12.920
 prayer,

00:17:13.079 --> 00:17:14.339
 and fasting.

00:17:14.339 --> 00:17:14.799
 Now,

00:17:14.899 --> 00:17:15.240
 fasting

00:17:15.240 --> 00:17:17.259
 is when you

00:17:17.259 --> 00:17:18.079
 abstain from

00:17:18.079 --> 00:17:19.279
 food for a

00:17:19.279 --> 00:17:19.960
 limited time

00:17:19.960 --> 00:17:20.600
 to devote

00:17:20.600 --> 00:17:21.160
 yourself

00:17:21.160 --> 00:17:22.160
 more to

00:17:22.160 --> 00:17:22.539
 prayer.

00:17:24.620 --> 00:17:25.579
 And as we

00:17:25.579 --> 00:17:26.120
 see throughout

00:17:26.120 --> 00:17:26.860
 this book,

00:17:26.980 --> 00:17:27.620
 we will see

00:17:27.620 --> 00:17:28.340
 that Nehemiah's

00:17:28.340 --> 00:17:29.039
 priority is

00:17:29.039 --> 00:17:29.740
 always prayer.

00:17:30.539 --> 00:17:31.140
 And it's a

00:17:31.140 --> 00:17:31.680
 humbling

00:17:31.680 --> 00:17:32.980
 priority.

00:17:33.380 --> 00:17:34.019
 By praying

00:17:34.019 --> 00:17:35.019
 first,

00:17:35.720 --> 00:17:36.180
 Nehemiah

00:17:36.180 --> 00:17:36.660
 humbly

00:17:36.660 --> 00:17:37.299
 acknowledges

00:17:37.299 --> 00:17:38.100
 who really

00:17:38.100 --> 00:17:38.460
 has the

00:17:38.460 --> 00:17:38.860
 power and

00:17:38.860 --> 00:17:39.360
 influence.

00:17:40.840 --> 00:17:41.140
 And it's

00:17:41.140 --> 00:17:41.740
 not him.

00:17:43.200 --> 00:17:43.620
 Like he

00:17:43.620 --> 00:17:44.019
 said in

00:17:44.019 --> 00:17:44.440
 verse 5,

00:17:45.440 --> 00:17:46.460
 God is

00:17:46.460 --> 00:17:47.700
 the great

00:17:47.700 --> 00:17:48.140
 and awesome

00:17:48.140 --> 00:17:48.620
 God.

00:17:48.759 --> 00:17:49.259
 He is the

00:17:49.259 --> 00:17:49.680
 Lord of

00:17:49.680 --> 00:17:50.000
 Heaven.

00:17:51.000 --> 00:17:51.339
 God is

00:17:51.339 --> 00:17:51.700
 the only

00:17:51.700 --> 00:17:52.059
 one who

00:17:52.059 --> 00:17:52.599
 can change

00:17:52.599 --> 00:17:53.059
 his king's

00:17:53.059 --> 00:17:53.420
 heart.

00:17:55.279 --> 00:17:56.220
 Twelve years

00:17:56.220 --> 00:17:56.700
 earlier,

00:17:57.500 --> 00:17:58.140
 this same

00:17:58.140 --> 00:17:58.700
 king had

00:17:58.700 --> 00:17:59.579
 actually stopped

00:17:59.579 --> 00:18:00.099
 the walls

00:18:00.099 --> 00:18:00.700
 being rebuilt.

00:18:03.460 --> 00:18:03.900
 Nehemiah

00:18:03.900 --> 00:18:04.339
 knows that

00:18:04.339 --> 00:18:04.960
 for all his

00:18:04.960 --> 00:18:06.180
 own relative

00:18:06.180 --> 00:18:07.420
 power and

00:18:07.420 --> 00:18:07.980
 influence,

00:18:09.059 --> 00:18:09.900
 he cannot

00:18:09.900 --> 00:18:11.140
 change anyone's

00:18:11.140 --> 00:18:11.480
 heart, let

00:18:11.480 --> 00:18:12.900
 alone the

00:18:12.900 --> 00:18:13.480
 most powerful

00:18:13.480 --> 00:18:14.339
 man on

00:18:14.339 --> 00:18:14.740
 earth.

00:18:16.339 --> 00:18:17.039
 That's what

00:18:17.039 --> 00:18:17.700
 drives him to

00:18:17.700 --> 00:18:18.079
 prayer.

00:18:18.079 --> 00:18:18.119
 prayer.

00:18:18.740 --> 00:18:19.379
 That's what

00:18:19.379 --> 00:18:19.759
 should drive

00:18:19.759 --> 00:18:20.240
 us to

00:18:20.240 --> 00:18:20.599
 prayer.

00:18:22.539 --> 00:18:23.279
 In prayer,

00:18:23.599 --> 00:18:24.519
 we access

00:18:24.519 --> 00:18:25.799
 the only

00:18:25.799 --> 00:18:26.740
 power source

00:18:26.740 --> 00:18:27.139
 that can

00:18:27.139 --> 00:18:28.139
 change anything

00:18:28.139 --> 00:18:29.220
 for our

00:18:29.220 --> 00:18:30.319
 brothers and

00:18:30.319 --> 00:18:31.359
 sisters who

00:18:31.359 --> 00:18:32.139
 are struggling

00:18:32.139 --> 00:18:33.500
 in life.

00:18:36.299 --> 00:18:37.099
 Here's a

00:18:37.099 --> 00:18:38.720
 quote from

00:18:38.720 --> 00:18:39.159
 Tim Keller.

00:18:39.299 --> 00:18:39.519
 He says,

00:18:39.519 --> 00:18:40.960
 to pray is

00:18:40.960 --> 00:18:41.599
 to accept

00:18:41.599 --> 00:18:42.319
 that we

00:18:42.319 --> 00:18:43.059
 are and

00:18:43.059 --> 00:18:44.240
 always will

00:18:44.240 --> 00:18:45.960
 be wholly

00:18:45.960 --> 00:18:47.019
 dependent on

00:18:47.019 --> 00:18:48.379
 God for

00:18:48.379 --> 00:18:49.139
 everything.

00:18:51.619 --> 00:18:52.500
 In prayer,

00:18:52.619 --> 00:18:53.319
 we humbly

00:18:53.319 --> 00:18:54.480
 declare we

00:18:54.480 --> 00:18:55.639
 don't have the

00:18:55.639 --> 00:18:58.139
 resources to

00:18:58.139 --> 00:18:59.400
 fill the

00:18:59.400 --> 00:19:00.119
 sufferer with

00:19:00.119 --> 00:19:00.799
 new hope in

00:19:00.799 --> 00:19:02.339
 Christ, to

00:19:02.339 --> 00:19:02.779
 give the

00:19:02.779 --> 00:19:04.019
 downhearted new

00:19:04.019 --> 00:19:05.680
 joy in him,

00:19:05.799 --> 00:19:07.119
 to cause the

00:19:07.119 --> 00:19:08.059
 stray to turn

00:19:08.059 --> 00:19:08.519
 back to

00:19:08.519 --> 00:19:08.720
 him.

00:19:09.099 --> 00:19:09.980
 We can't

00:19:09.980 --> 00:19:10.379
 do it.

00:19:12.159 --> 00:19:12.740
 And yet,

00:19:14.019 --> 00:19:14.819
 think about

00:19:14.819 --> 00:19:15.200
 the opposite.

00:19:15.500 --> 00:19:15.960
 Whenever we

00:19:15.960 --> 00:19:16.679
 don't pray,

00:19:17.720 --> 00:19:18.440
 we actually

00:19:18.440 --> 00:19:20.980
 show we

00:19:20.980 --> 00:19:22.359
 don't really

00:19:22.359 --> 00:19:22.700
 think we

00:19:22.700 --> 00:19:23.179
 need God.

00:19:25.639 --> 00:19:26.639
 We betray

00:19:26.639 --> 00:19:27.779
 a subtle

00:19:27.779 --> 00:19:29.539
 feeling that

00:19:29.539 --> 00:19:30.759
 I am the

00:19:30.759 --> 00:19:31.339
 key player

00:19:31.339 --> 00:19:32.480
 in this

00:19:32.480 --> 00:19:33.079
 situation,

00:19:33.720 --> 00:19:34.579
 as Nehemiah

00:19:34.579 --> 00:19:35.059
 could easily

00:19:35.059 --> 00:19:35.539
 have thought

00:19:35.539 --> 00:19:36.059
 with his

00:19:36.059 --> 00:19:36.519
 power and

00:19:36.519 --> 00:19:36.980
 influence.

00:19:37.899 --> 00:19:38.879
 When prayer

00:19:38.879 --> 00:19:40.480
 falls down

00:19:40.480 --> 00:19:41.500
 our priority

00:19:41.500 --> 00:19:42.960
 list, we

00:19:42.960 --> 00:19:43.879
 demonstrate a

00:19:43.879 --> 00:19:44.920
 subtle pride

00:19:44.920 --> 00:19:46.440
 that we

00:19:46.440 --> 00:19:46.879
 can do it

00:19:46.879 --> 00:19:47.240
 alone.

00:19:48.920 --> 00:19:49.700
 Oh, the

00:19:49.700 --> 00:19:50.659
 danger of

00:19:50.659 --> 00:19:51.420
 us thinking

00:19:51.420 --> 00:19:52.940
 that we

00:19:52.940 --> 00:19:53.440
 can achieve

00:19:53.440 --> 00:19:54.559
 any lasting

00:19:54.559 --> 00:19:55.519
 spiritual good

00:19:55.519 --> 00:19:55.940
 in one

00:19:55.940 --> 00:19:56.379
 another's

00:19:56.379 --> 00:19:58.139
 lives, in

00:19:58.139 --> 00:19:58.379
 and of

00:19:58.379 --> 00:19:59.019
 ourselves.

00:19:59.639 --> 00:20:00.799
 Because when

00:20:00.799 --> 00:20:01.960
 we miss out

00:20:01.960 --> 00:20:02.500
 on prayer,

00:20:02.740 --> 00:20:03.680
 we miss out

00:20:03.680 --> 00:20:04.259
 on God,

00:20:05.640 --> 00:20:06.480
 his power,

00:20:07.259 --> 00:20:08.220
 his work,

00:20:08.920 --> 00:20:09.680
 moving in

00:20:09.680 --> 00:20:10.220
 and through

00:20:10.220 --> 00:20:11.840
 our lives.

00:20:12.440 --> 00:20:13.019
 Now, maybe

00:20:13.019 --> 00:20:13.779
 you say,

00:20:14.440 --> 00:20:15.039
 Sam, that's

00:20:15.039 --> 00:20:15.600
 just not my

00:20:15.600 --> 00:20:16.279
 experience of

00:20:16.279 --> 00:20:16.519
 prayer.

00:20:18.420 --> 00:20:19.320
 I've prayed

00:20:19.320 --> 00:20:19.600
 and it

00:20:19.600 --> 00:20:19.880
 hasn't

00:20:19.880 --> 00:20:20.259
 happened.

00:20:24.480 --> 00:20:25.080
 Yes,

00:20:25.960 --> 00:20:26.860
 prayer is

00:20:26.860 --> 00:20:27.740
 hard.

00:20:28.840 --> 00:20:30.120
 99% of the

00:20:30.120 --> 00:20:30.420
 time,

00:20:30.960 --> 00:20:31.420
 prayer is

00:20:31.420 --> 00:20:32.720
 like planting

00:20:32.720 --> 00:20:33.480
 bulbs in

00:20:33.480 --> 00:20:33.920
 the ground.

00:20:34.420 --> 00:20:34.660
 I wonder

00:20:34.660 --> 00:20:35.000
 how many

00:20:35.000 --> 00:20:35.440
 people have

00:20:35.440 --> 00:20:35.759
 done that

00:20:35.759 --> 00:20:36.019
 in their

00:20:36.019 --> 00:20:37.019
 gardens over

00:20:37.019 --> 00:20:37.320
 the last

00:20:37.320 --> 00:20:37.880
 few weeks.

00:20:39.500 --> 00:20:40.600
 You don't

00:20:40.600 --> 00:20:41.740
 see instant

00:20:41.740 --> 00:20:42.440
 results.

00:20:44.240 --> 00:20:45.160
 You look

00:20:45.160 --> 00:20:45.480
 out your

00:20:45.480 --> 00:20:46.560
 window every

00:20:46.560 --> 00:20:47.940
 day, waiting.

00:20:49.320 --> 00:20:50.660
 Seems nothing

00:20:50.660 --> 00:20:51.500
 is happening.

00:20:52.940 --> 00:20:53.279
 Planting

00:20:53.279 --> 00:20:54.019
 isn't glamorous.

00:20:55.060 --> 00:20:55.560
 It's hard

00:20:55.560 --> 00:20:55.940
 work.

00:20:56.440 --> 00:20:57.039
 It requires

00:20:57.039 --> 00:20:58.700
 thought and

00:20:58.700 --> 00:20:59.259
 care.

00:20:59.259 --> 00:21:00.359
 you can't

00:21:00.359 --> 00:21:00.759
 guarantee

00:21:00.759 --> 00:21:01.200
 the crop

00:21:01.200 --> 00:21:01.420
 at the

00:21:01.420 --> 00:21:01.660
 end of

00:21:01.660 --> 00:21:02.039
 the day

00:21:02.039 --> 00:21:03.579
 or in

00:21:03.579 --> 00:21:03.980
 four months

00:21:03.980 --> 00:21:04.279
 time.

00:21:06.539 --> 00:21:07.299
 You finish

00:21:07.299 --> 00:21:07.740
 the day of

00:21:07.740 --> 00:21:08.119
 planting,

00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:09.440
 you look

00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:09.819
 back at

00:21:09.819 --> 00:21:10.359
 your garden

00:21:10.359 --> 00:21:12.359
 and it

00:21:12.359 --> 00:21:12.799
 doesn't look

00:21:12.799 --> 00:21:13.160
 like you've

00:21:13.160 --> 00:21:13.440
 achieved

00:21:13.440 --> 00:21:13.879
 anything.

00:21:16.980 --> 00:21:17.579
 In fact,

00:21:17.640 --> 00:21:17.920
 you've got

00:21:17.920 --> 00:21:18.339
 nothing to

00:21:18.339 --> 00:21:18.779
 show for

00:21:18.779 --> 00:21:18.980
 it.

00:21:21.500 --> 00:21:22.059
 Isn't that

00:21:22.059 --> 00:21:22.319
 what it's

00:21:22.319 --> 00:21:22.680
 kind of like

00:21:22.680 --> 00:21:23.079
 with prayer?

00:21:24.119 --> 00:21:24.740
 Maybe that's

00:21:24.740 --> 00:21:25.259
 why we find

00:21:25.259 --> 00:21:25.519
 it so

00:21:25.519 --> 00:21:25.879
 difficult.

00:21:26.279 --> 00:21:26.700
 We can

00:21:26.700 --> 00:21:27.200
 come away

00:21:27.200 --> 00:21:27.759
 from a time

00:21:27.759 --> 00:21:28.099
 of prayer

00:21:28.099 --> 00:21:28.599
 feeling like

00:21:28.599 --> 00:21:28.939
 we haven't

00:21:28.939 --> 00:21:29.219
 achieved

00:21:29.219 --> 00:21:29.639
 anything.

00:21:32.159 --> 00:21:32.599
 Like,

00:21:32.759 --> 00:21:33.119
 maybe we

00:21:33.119 --> 00:21:33.319
 would have

00:21:33.319 --> 00:21:33.759
 been better

00:21:33.759 --> 00:21:34.279
 going and

00:21:34.279 --> 00:21:35.139
 doing something

00:21:35.139 --> 00:21:35.639
 practical,

00:21:36.980 --> 00:21:37.839
 something tangible

00:21:37.839 --> 00:21:38.959
 to make an

00:21:38.959 --> 00:21:39.480
 instantaneous

00:21:39.480 --> 00:21:41.679
 difference in

00:21:41.679 --> 00:21:42.199
 a brother or

00:21:42.199 --> 00:21:43.719
 sister's life.

00:21:44.359 --> 00:21:44.579
 To have

00:21:44.579 --> 00:21:45.059
 something to

00:21:45.059 --> 00:21:46.240
 show for

00:21:46.240 --> 00:21:46.619
 at the end

00:21:46.619 --> 00:21:47.179
 of the day

00:21:47.179 --> 00:21:48.279
 and say,

00:21:48.379 --> 00:21:48.639
 there,

00:21:49.299 --> 00:21:49.980
 I've made

00:21:49.980 --> 00:21:50.699
 a difference.

00:21:54.179 --> 00:21:55.099
 If Nehemiah

00:21:55.099 --> 00:21:55.500
 shows us

00:21:55.500 --> 00:21:55.919
 anything,

00:21:56.419 --> 00:21:56.719
 it's that

00:21:56.719 --> 00:21:57.299
 prayer is

00:21:57.299 --> 00:21:57.859
 the most

00:21:57.859 --> 00:21:58.379
 powerful

00:21:58.379 --> 00:21:59.359
 action we

00:21:59.359 --> 00:22:00.139
 can take.

00:22:02.379 --> 00:22:02.859
 Nehemiah

00:22:02.859 --> 00:22:03.459
 prayed and

00:22:03.459 --> 00:22:04.019
 nothing

00:22:04.019 --> 00:22:05.279
 happened for

00:22:05.279 --> 00:22:06.759
 four months.

00:22:09.319 --> 00:22:10.059
 But at

00:22:10.059 --> 00:22:10.439
 the right

00:22:10.439 --> 00:22:10.959
 time,

00:22:12.099 --> 00:22:12.519
 shoots

00:22:12.519 --> 00:22:13.639
 began to

00:22:13.639 --> 00:22:14.079
 appear

00:22:14.079 --> 00:22:14.939
 through the

00:22:14.939 --> 00:22:15.339
 earth.

00:22:17.079 --> 00:22:17.439
 And in

00:22:17.439 --> 00:22:17.719
 time,

00:22:17.799 --> 00:22:18.199
 the flower

00:22:18.199 --> 00:22:18.679
 had fully

00:22:18.679 --> 00:22:19.019
 bloomed.

00:22:19.899 --> 00:22:20.279
 When the

00:22:20.279 --> 00:22:20.899
 right opportunity

00:22:20.899 --> 00:22:21.339
 came,

00:22:21.619 --> 00:22:21.959
 Nehemiah

00:22:21.959 --> 00:22:22.479
 spoke to

00:22:22.479 --> 00:22:22.859
 the king.

00:22:24.199 --> 00:22:24.719
 And I

00:22:24.719 --> 00:22:24.979
 don't want

00:22:24.979 --> 00:22:25.219
 to do a

00:22:25.219 --> 00:22:25.659
 spoiler for

00:22:25.659 --> 00:22:26.000
 next week,

00:22:26.000 --> 00:22:26.740
 but God

00:22:26.740 --> 00:22:27.480
 changed the

00:22:27.480 --> 00:22:27.819
 king's

00:22:27.819 --> 00:22:28.240
 heart.

00:22:28.700 --> 00:22:29.019
 It set

00:22:29.019 --> 00:22:29.400
 in motion

00:22:29.400 --> 00:22:29.920
 a whole

00:22:29.920 --> 00:22:30.339
 chain of

00:22:30.339 --> 00:22:31.640
 events through

00:22:31.640 --> 00:22:32.299
 which God

00:22:32.299 --> 00:22:33.660
 would protect

00:22:33.660 --> 00:22:34.579
 his people.

00:22:35.220 --> 00:22:35.839
 Prayer is

00:22:35.839 --> 00:22:37.640
 not wasted

00:22:37.640 --> 00:22:38.759
 time.

00:22:39.759 --> 00:22:40.740
 It's not

00:22:40.740 --> 00:22:41.460
 doing nothing.

00:22:42.599 --> 00:22:43.579
 It's the most

00:22:43.579 --> 00:22:44.680
 significant thing

00:22:44.680 --> 00:22:46.059
 that you or I

00:22:46.059 --> 00:22:47.000
 could do for

00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:47.519
 one another.

00:22:49.640 --> 00:22:50.920
 Especially in

00:22:50.920 --> 00:22:51.400
 our trouble.

00:22:51.400 --> 00:22:52.400
 prayer.

00:22:52.400 --> 00:22:53.080
 Making

00:22:53.080 --> 00:22:53.680
 prayer the

00:22:53.680 --> 00:22:54.220
 priority

00:22:54.220 --> 00:22:55.160
 humbles us

00:22:55.160 --> 00:22:55.720
 to see that

00:22:55.720 --> 00:22:56.740
 God is the

00:22:56.740 --> 00:22:57.660
 only one who

00:22:57.660 --> 00:22:58.160
 is able to

00:22:58.160 --> 00:22:58.660
 protect his

00:22:58.660 --> 00:22:58.960
 people.

00:23:00.300 --> 00:23:00.759
 And prayer

00:23:00.759 --> 00:23:01.600
 places our

00:23:01.600 --> 00:23:02.640
 lives in

00:23:02.640 --> 00:23:03.400
 total dependence

00:23:03.400 --> 00:23:03.980
 on him.

00:23:05.060 --> 00:23:05.980
 And this

00:23:05.980 --> 00:23:06.780
 brings us

00:23:06.780 --> 00:23:07.740
 next to

00:23:07.740 --> 00:23:09.620
 see how

00:23:09.620 --> 00:23:10.259
 did Nehemiah

00:23:10.259 --> 00:23:11.080
 actually pray?

00:23:11.240 --> 00:23:11.860
 How did he

00:23:11.860 --> 00:23:12.560
 do this?

00:23:13.980 --> 00:23:14.320
 We're going

00:23:14.320 --> 00:23:14.840
 to see

00:23:14.840 --> 00:23:17.040
 God's purpose

00:23:17.039 --> 00:23:18.139
 promise in

00:23:18.139 --> 00:23:20.000
 prayer as

00:23:20.000 --> 00:23:21.039
 we pray his

00:23:21.039 --> 00:23:22.980
 promises of

00:23:22.980 --> 00:23:23.559
 protection.

00:23:26.680 --> 00:23:27.440
 And I want

00:23:27.440 --> 00:23:27.980
 you to notice

00:23:27.980 --> 00:23:29.019
 here, I

00:23:29.019 --> 00:23:29.680
 think the

00:23:29.680 --> 00:23:29.980
 thing that

00:23:29.980 --> 00:23:30.480
 strikes me

00:23:30.480 --> 00:23:31.019
 most about

00:23:31.019 --> 00:23:31.539
 Nehemiah's

00:23:31.539 --> 00:23:31.940
 prayer is

00:23:31.940 --> 00:23:32.440
 actually that

00:23:32.440 --> 00:23:34.059
 his prayers

00:23:34.059 --> 00:23:34.700
 are shaped

00:23:34.700 --> 00:23:35.319
 by God's

00:23:35.319 --> 00:23:36.960
 word all

00:23:36.960 --> 00:23:37.180
 the way

00:23:37.180 --> 00:23:37.480
 through.

00:23:39.159 --> 00:23:39.720
 Now we've

00:23:39.720 --> 00:23:40.460
 already seen

00:23:40.460 --> 00:23:40.920
 back in

00:23:40.920 --> 00:23:42.299
 verse 5 how

00:23:42.299 --> 00:23:42.819
 he started

00:23:42.819 --> 00:23:43.299
 his prayer.

00:23:43.359 --> 00:23:43.659
 He started

00:23:43.659 --> 00:23:43.940
 his prayer

00:23:43.940 --> 00:23:45.659
 by praising

00:23:45.659 --> 00:23:47.000
 God for

00:23:47.000 --> 00:23:47.480
 what he

00:23:47.480 --> 00:23:48.099
 saw of

00:23:48.099 --> 00:23:48.440
 God's

00:23:48.440 --> 00:23:48.940
 character

00:23:48.940 --> 00:23:49.700
 in his

00:23:49.700 --> 00:23:49.859
 word.

00:23:49.920 --> 00:23:50.119
 We could

00:23:50.119 --> 00:23:50.539
 call that

00:23:50.539 --> 00:23:51.240
 adoration.

00:23:51.420 --> 00:23:51.740
 That's a

00:23:51.740 --> 00:23:52.559
 wonderful place

00:23:52.559 --> 00:23:53.059
 to start

00:23:53.059 --> 00:23:54.420
 our prayers.

00:23:55.319 --> 00:23:55.819
 Remembering

00:23:55.819 --> 00:23:56.960
 who God

00:23:56.960 --> 00:23:58.240
 is from

00:23:58.240 --> 00:23:58.680
 his word.

00:24:00.839 --> 00:24:01.480
 And then

00:24:01.480 --> 00:24:03.220
 that

00:24:03.220 --> 00:24:03.900
 adoration

00:24:03.900 --> 00:24:05.220
 led into

00:24:05.220 --> 00:24:06.119
 confession which

00:24:06.119 --> 00:24:06.579
 we read.

00:24:07.119 --> 00:24:07.720
 He confessed

00:24:07.720 --> 00:24:08.519
 his own

00:24:08.519 --> 00:24:08.740
 sins.

00:24:09.039 --> 00:24:09.619
 When do we

00:24:09.619 --> 00:24:10.019
 most see

00:24:10.019 --> 00:24:10.480
 our sin?

00:24:11.480 --> 00:24:12.299
 Whenever we

00:24:12.299 --> 00:24:12.900
 see God's

00:24:12.900 --> 00:24:14.000
 purity and

00:24:14.000 --> 00:24:14.359
 God's

00:24:14.359 --> 00:24:14.640
 greatness.

00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:17.740
 So we

00:24:17.740 --> 00:24:17.880
 have

00:24:17.880 --> 00:24:18.400
 adoration.

00:24:19.279 --> 00:24:19.920
 We have

00:24:19.920 --> 00:24:20.500
 confession.

00:24:21.880 --> 00:24:22.220
 But it's

00:24:22.220 --> 00:24:22.579
 the last

00:24:22.579 --> 00:24:23.359
 part of

00:24:23.359 --> 00:24:23.900
 Nehemiah's

00:24:23.900 --> 00:24:24.299
 prayer which

00:24:24.299 --> 00:24:24.640
 I want us

00:24:24.640 --> 00:24:25.059
 to focus

00:24:25.059 --> 00:24:25.519
 on most.

00:24:25.960 --> 00:24:26.440
 It's his

00:24:26.440 --> 00:24:27.220
 supplication.

00:24:29.400 --> 00:24:30.279
 Because after

00:24:30.279 --> 00:24:31.380
 confessing sin

00:24:31.380 --> 00:24:32.059
 and being

00:24:32.059 --> 00:24:33.119
 confident of

00:24:33.119 --> 00:24:33.500
 receiving

00:24:33.500 --> 00:24:33.960
 mercy,

00:24:35.779 --> 00:24:36.500
 Nehemiah is

00:24:36.500 --> 00:24:37.740
 emboldened to

00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:39.700
 ask God

00:24:39.700 --> 00:24:41.640
 to act on

00:24:41.640 --> 00:24:42.140
 behalf of

00:24:42.140 --> 00:24:42.600
 his people.

00:24:44.820 --> 00:24:45.380
 And he

00:24:45.380 --> 00:24:45.940
 does this

00:24:45.940 --> 00:24:46.500
 by praying

00:24:46.500 --> 00:24:46.940
 God's

00:24:46.940 --> 00:24:47.320
 promises

00:24:47.320 --> 00:24:47.780
 back to

00:24:47.780 --> 00:24:47.920
 him.

00:24:48.160 --> 00:24:48.420
 Can you

00:24:48.420 --> 00:24:48.780
 read with

00:24:48.780 --> 00:24:50.259
 me from

00:24:50.259 --> 00:24:51.480
 verse 8?

00:24:57.700 --> 00:24:58.259
 Nehemiah

00:24:58.259 --> 00:24:58.580
 says,

00:24:58.820 --> 00:25:00.040
 Remember

00:25:00.040 --> 00:25:01.280
 the instruction

00:25:01.280 --> 00:25:01.860
 you gave

00:25:01.860 --> 00:25:02.380
 your servant

00:25:02.380 --> 00:25:02.720
 Moses,

00:25:03.660 --> 00:25:04.300
 saying,

00:25:04.700 --> 00:25:04.960
 If you

00:25:04.960 --> 00:25:05.759
 are unfaithful,

00:25:06.060 --> 00:25:06.460
 I will

00:25:06.460 --> 00:25:06.940
 scatter you

00:25:06.940 --> 00:25:07.320
 among the

00:25:07.320 --> 00:25:07.740
 nations.

00:25:08.420 --> 00:25:08.820
 But if

00:25:08.820 --> 00:25:09.320
 you return

00:25:09.320 --> 00:25:09.759
 to me

00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:10.320
 and obey

00:25:10.320 --> 00:25:11.040
 my commands,

00:25:11.039 --> 00:25:12.259
 then even

00:25:12.259 --> 00:25:12.639
 if your

00:25:12.639 --> 00:25:13.079
 exiled

00:25:13.079 --> 00:25:13.579
 people are

00:25:13.579 --> 00:25:13.940
 at the

00:25:13.940 --> 00:25:14.420
 farthest

00:25:14.420 --> 00:25:14.879
 horizon,

00:25:15.139 --> 00:25:15.559
 I will

00:25:15.559 --> 00:25:16.019
 gather

00:25:16.019 --> 00:25:16.599
 them from

00:25:16.599 --> 00:25:17.119
 there and

00:25:17.119 --> 00:25:17.839
 bring them

00:25:17.839 --> 00:25:18.180
 to the

00:25:18.180 --> 00:25:18.700
 place I

00:25:18.700 --> 00:25:19.220
 have chosen

00:25:19.220 --> 00:25:19.799
 as a

00:25:19.799 --> 00:25:20.579
 dwelling for

00:25:20.579 --> 00:25:21.180
 my name.

00:25:22.359 --> 00:25:22.779
 They are

00:25:22.779 --> 00:25:23.740
 your servants

00:25:23.740 --> 00:25:24.720
 and your

00:25:24.720 --> 00:25:25.639
 people whom

00:25:25.639 --> 00:25:26.619
 you redeemed

00:25:26.619 --> 00:25:27.460
 by your

00:25:27.460 --> 00:25:28.240
 great strength

00:25:28.240 --> 00:25:29.159
 and your

00:25:29.159 --> 00:25:30.480
 mighty hand.

00:25:30.659 --> 00:25:30.920
 You see,

00:25:30.980 --> 00:25:31.399
 Nehemiah

00:25:31.399 --> 00:25:32.139
 knows God's

00:25:32.139 --> 00:25:32.619
 word.

00:25:33.819 --> 00:25:34.559
 He knows

00:25:34.559 --> 00:25:35.559
 what God

00:25:35.559 --> 00:25:36.359
 had promised

00:25:36.359 --> 00:25:36.899
 to do

00:25:36.899 --> 00:25:37.480
 in the

00:25:37.480 --> 00:25:38.079
 past.

00:25:38.579 --> 00:25:38.879
 That if

00:25:38.879 --> 00:25:39.339
 the people

00:25:39.339 --> 00:25:40.599
 return to

00:25:40.599 --> 00:25:40.960
 God,

00:25:41.039 --> 00:25:41.460
 in faith

00:25:41.460 --> 00:25:42.039
 and obedience,

00:25:42.299 --> 00:25:42.740
 God would

00:25:42.740 --> 00:25:43.099
 bring them

00:25:43.099 --> 00:25:43.839
 back to

00:25:43.839 --> 00:25:44.359
 the land.

00:25:46.680 --> 00:25:47.579
 The promise

00:25:47.579 --> 00:25:48.000
 was there

00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:48.399
 in black

00:25:48.399 --> 00:25:48.879
 and white.

00:25:50.299 --> 00:25:50.399
 And

00:25:50.399 --> 00:25:50.899
 Nehemiah

00:25:50.899 --> 00:25:51.559
 cries out,

00:25:51.700 --> 00:25:52.279
 Remember

00:25:52.279 --> 00:25:53.680
 your promise

00:25:53.680 --> 00:25:54.379
 to your

00:25:54.379 --> 00:25:54.819
 people,

00:25:55.079 --> 00:25:55.259
 Lord.

00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:56.539
 Save,

00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:57.680
 redeem,

00:25:58.220 --> 00:25:58.799
 restore,

00:25:59.180 --> 00:25:59.700
 just as

00:25:59.700 --> 00:26:00.099
 you said

00:26:00.099 --> 00:26:00.599
 you would.

00:26:03.599 --> 00:26:04.259
 And as

00:26:04.259 --> 00:26:04.559
 you read

00:26:04.559 --> 00:26:04.859
 through the

00:26:04.859 --> 00:26:05.079
 book,

00:26:05.119 --> 00:26:05.440
 you'll see

00:26:05.440 --> 00:26:06.039
 God answers

00:26:06.039 --> 00:26:06.539
 that prayer.

00:26:06.619 --> 00:26:07.039
 The walls

00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:07.599
 are rebuilt

00:26:07.599 --> 00:26:08.079
 in record

00:26:08.079 --> 00:26:08.480
 time,

00:26:08.559 --> 00:26:09.500
 52 days.

00:26:09.500 --> 00:26:14.380
 could God

00:26:14.380 --> 00:26:14.900
 not have

00:26:14.900 --> 00:26:15.779
 acted to

00:26:15.779 --> 00:26:16.940
 protect the

00:26:16.940 --> 00:26:17.400
 people of

00:26:17.400 --> 00:26:18.240
 Israel without

00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:18.920
 Nehemiah's

00:26:18.920 --> 00:26:19.160
 prayers?

00:26:21.759 --> 00:26:22.319
 Certainly

00:26:22.319 --> 00:26:22.720
 he could

00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:22.960
 have.

00:26:25.039 --> 00:26:25.759
 We do

00:26:25.759 --> 00:26:26.240
 not have a

00:26:26.240 --> 00:26:26.619
 weak,

00:26:27.380 --> 00:26:28.180
 needy God

00:26:28.180 --> 00:26:29.019
 who needs

00:26:29.019 --> 00:26:29.539
 our help,

00:26:30.039 --> 00:26:30.660
 who needs

00:26:30.660 --> 00:26:31.000
 us to

00:26:31.000 --> 00:26:31.279
 pray.

00:26:32.740 --> 00:26:33.259
 No,

00:26:33.299 --> 00:26:33.619
 he's the

00:26:33.619 --> 00:26:34.019
 great and

00:26:34.019 --> 00:26:34.640
 awesome God,

00:26:34.700 --> 00:26:35.140
 the Lord

00:26:35.140 --> 00:26:35.740
 of heaven.

00:26:35.740 --> 00:26:36.700
 But here's

00:26:36.700 --> 00:26:37.120
 the beautiful

00:26:37.120 --> 00:26:37.900
 thing for

00:26:37.900 --> 00:26:38.259
 you and

00:26:38.259 --> 00:26:38.480
 I.

00:26:39.700 --> 00:26:40.039
 In

00:26:40.039 --> 00:26:40.579
 Christ,

00:26:41.120 --> 00:26:41.960
 God has

00:26:41.960 --> 00:26:43.579
 chosen to

00:26:43.579 --> 00:26:44.700
 use our

00:26:44.700 --> 00:26:45.920
 prayers as

00:26:45.920 --> 00:26:46.339
 one of the

00:26:46.339 --> 00:26:47.120
 means through

00:26:47.120 --> 00:26:47.779
 which he

00:26:47.779 --> 00:26:48.559
 accomplishes

00:26:48.559 --> 00:26:49.319
 his purposes.

00:26:51.259 --> 00:26:52.140
 What an

00:26:52.140 --> 00:26:52.960
 extraordinary

00:26:52.960 --> 00:26:55.200
 privilege to

00:26:55.200 --> 00:26:56.359
 participate in

00:26:56.359 --> 00:26:57.380
 what God is

00:26:57.380 --> 00:26:58.140
 doing in our

00:26:58.140 --> 00:26:58.599
 brothers and

00:26:58.599 --> 00:26:58.880
 sisters'

00:26:59.079 --> 00:26:59.380
 lives.

00:27:00.220 --> 00:27:01.120
 That means

00:27:01.120 --> 00:27:01.799
 our prayers

00:27:01.799 --> 00:27:03.160
 really matter.

00:27:03.160 --> 00:27:05.240
 there are

00:27:05.240 --> 00:27:06.720
 things that

00:27:06.720 --> 00:27:07.300
 God has

00:27:07.300 --> 00:27:08.360
 ordained to

00:27:08.360 --> 00:27:10.400
 happen which

00:27:10.400 --> 00:27:10.980
 will not

00:27:10.980 --> 00:27:12.320
 happen until

00:27:12.320 --> 00:27:13.620
 we have

00:27:13.620 --> 00:27:15.000
 prayed God's

00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:15.720
 promises into

00:27:15.720 --> 00:27:16.200
 each other's

00:27:16.200 --> 00:27:16.600
 lives.

00:27:18.120 --> 00:27:19.160
 That gives

00:27:19.160 --> 00:27:20.019
 us remarkable

00:27:20.019 --> 00:27:22.320
 purpose as

00:27:22.320 --> 00:27:23.400
 believers seeking

00:27:23.400 --> 00:27:25.120
 to support one

00:27:25.120 --> 00:27:25.800
 another in

00:27:25.800 --> 00:27:26.940
 various troubles

00:27:26.940 --> 00:27:27.900
 that we go

00:27:27.900 --> 00:27:28.180
 through.

00:27:30.420 --> 00:27:31.220
 So Nehemiah,

00:27:31.279 --> 00:27:31.840
 he was praying

00:27:31.840 --> 00:27:32.940
 for physical

00:27:32.940 --> 00:27:33.140
 protection,

00:27:33.160 --> 00:27:34.620
 protection of

00:27:34.620 --> 00:27:35.360
 God's people.

00:27:35.779 --> 00:27:36.600
 What should we

00:27:36.600 --> 00:27:37.100
 pray for?

00:27:40.300 --> 00:27:41.000
 We have

00:27:41.000 --> 00:27:41.480
 brothers and

00:27:41.480 --> 00:27:41.940
 sisters who

00:27:41.940 --> 00:27:42.259
 are going

00:27:42.259 --> 00:27:42.620
 through the

00:27:42.620 --> 00:27:43.340
 fight of

00:27:43.340 --> 00:27:44.300
 their lives

00:27:44.300 --> 00:27:45.840
 against sin.

00:27:47.880 --> 00:27:48.759
 Others are

00:27:48.759 --> 00:27:49.980
 battling ill

00:27:49.980 --> 00:27:50.380
 health that

00:27:50.380 --> 00:27:50.980
 they never

00:27:50.980 --> 00:27:51.680
 saw coming.

00:27:54.259 --> 00:27:54.940
 Others are

00:27:54.940 --> 00:27:55.360
 just under

00:27:55.360 --> 00:27:56.580
 immense pressure

00:27:56.580 --> 00:27:58.000
 with just

00:27:58.000 --> 00:27:59.480
 everyday things.

00:27:59.620 --> 00:27:59.840
 There's just

00:27:59.840 --> 00:28:00.279
 work,

00:28:01.120 --> 00:28:01.540
 family,

00:28:02.380 --> 00:28:02.880
 school,

00:28:02.880 --> 00:28:04.280
 college,

00:28:04.280 --> 00:28:05.280
 finances,

00:28:05.280 --> 00:28:07.120
 and life is

00:28:07.120 --> 00:28:08.300
 just really

00:28:08.300 --> 00:28:09.120
 hard.

00:28:09.119 --> 00:28:15.079
 the Israelites

00:28:15.079 --> 00:28:16.000
 had a physical

00:28:16.000 --> 00:28:16.559
 enemy at

00:28:16.559 --> 00:28:17.079
 their gates.

00:28:17.859 --> 00:28:19.099
 We have a

00:28:19.099 --> 00:28:20.179
 spiritual enemy

00:28:20.179 --> 00:28:22.059
 at the gates

00:28:22.059 --> 00:28:24.099
 seeking to

00:28:24.099 --> 00:28:24.939
 overcome us,

00:28:25.299 --> 00:28:25.859
 seeking to

00:28:25.859 --> 00:28:26.779
 beat us down,

00:28:27.379 --> 00:28:28.219
 filling us with

00:28:28.219 --> 00:28:29.119
 shame and guilt,

00:28:30.239 --> 00:28:31.579
 ultimately to

00:28:31.579 --> 00:28:32.439
 cause us to

00:28:32.439 --> 00:28:32.979
 give up on

00:28:32.979 --> 00:28:33.379
 Christ.

00:28:33.380 --> 00:28:35.440
 our enemy

00:28:35.440 --> 00:28:35.780
 fires,

00:28:35.780 --> 00:28:36.780
 fires,

00:28:36.780 --> 00:28:37.200
 fires,

00:28:37.340 --> 00:28:38.280
 lies at us,

00:28:39.060 --> 00:28:39.740
 that God

00:28:39.740 --> 00:28:40.420
 doesn't care

00:28:40.420 --> 00:28:41.100
 for us,

00:28:41.620 --> 00:28:42.800
 that he's not

00:28:42.800 --> 00:28:43.420
 in control,

00:28:43.560 --> 00:28:44.020
 that our life

00:28:44.020 --> 00:28:44.460
 would just be

00:28:44.460 --> 00:28:45.240
 easier if we

00:28:45.240 --> 00:28:45.720
 just didn't

00:28:45.720 --> 00:28:47.180
 follow Jesus.

00:28:47.180 --> 00:28:47.460
 us.

00:28:51.580 --> 00:28:52.740
 The solution

00:28:52.740 --> 00:28:53.420
 for us is not

00:28:53.420 --> 00:28:54.000
 a wall.

00:28:56.360 --> 00:28:57.539
 We need a

00:28:57.539 --> 00:28:58.279
 spiritual

00:28:58.279 --> 00:28:59.580
 strengthening

00:28:59.580 --> 00:29:02.180
 to withstand

00:29:02.180 --> 00:29:02.799
 a spiritual

00:29:02.799 --> 00:29:03.259
 attack.

00:29:04.480 --> 00:29:05.539
 If you would

00:29:05.539 --> 00:29:06.400
 turn with me to

00:29:06.400 --> 00:29:07.080
 Ephesians

00:29:07.080 --> 00:29:08.220
 chapter 6

00:29:08.220 --> 00:29:09.039
 as we finish,

00:29:10.640 --> 00:29:13.900
 that's on

00:29:13.900 --> 00:29:14.240
 page

00:29:14.240 --> 00:29:16.599
 1177.

00:29:18.180 --> 00:29:18.759
 Ephesians

00:29:18.759 --> 00:29:19.579
 chapter 6.

00:29:33.819 --> 00:29:34.420
 The

00:29:34.420 --> 00:29:35.180
 apostle Paul

00:29:35.180 --> 00:29:35.759
 here is

00:29:35.759 --> 00:29:36.859
 trying to

00:29:36.859 --> 00:29:37.420
 communicate

00:29:37.420 --> 00:29:38.579
 to the

00:29:38.579 --> 00:29:39.000
 church in

00:29:39.000 --> 00:29:39.579
 Ephesus that

00:29:39.579 --> 00:29:40.099
 actually their

00:29:40.099 --> 00:29:40.779
 battle isn't a

00:29:40.779 --> 00:29:41.359
 physical one,

00:29:41.480 --> 00:29:41.700
 it's a

00:29:41.700 --> 00:29:43.539
 spiritual

00:29:43.539 --> 00:29:45.399
 battle that

00:29:45.399 --> 00:29:45.960
 they are in

00:29:45.960 --> 00:29:47.019
 every single

00:29:47.019 --> 00:29:48.539
 day because

00:29:48.539 --> 00:29:49.180
 they belong

00:29:49.180 --> 00:29:49.659
 to the Lord

00:29:49.659 --> 00:29:50.180
 Jesus.

00:29:52.619 --> 00:29:53.639
 Read with

00:29:53.639 --> 00:29:54.019
 me from

00:29:54.019 --> 00:29:54.359
 Ephesians

00:29:54.359 --> 00:29:55.799
 6 verse

00:29:55.799 --> 00:29:56.220
 10.

00:29:56.960 --> 00:29:57.399
 Finally,

00:29:58.440 --> 00:29:59.420
 be strong

00:29:59.420 --> 00:29:59.980
 in the

00:29:59.980 --> 00:30:02.099
 Lord and

00:30:02.099 --> 00:30:02.920
 in his

00:30:02.920 --> 00:30:03.980
 mighty

00:30:03.980 --> 00:30:04.700
 power.

00:30:06.299 --> 00:30:07.180
 Put on

00:30:07.180 --> 00:30:08.200
 the full

00:30:08.200 --> 00:30:09.059
 armor of

00:30:09.059 --> 00:30:09.420
 God,

00:30:09.519 --> 00:30:10.200
 that is

00:30:10.200 --> 00:30:10.680
 spiritual

00:30:10.680 --> 00:30:11.079
 armor,

00:30:11.079 --> 00:30:12.079
 armor,

00:30:12.079 --> 00:30:13.259
 so that

00:30:13.259 --> 00:30:13.699
 you can

00:30:13.699 --> 00:30:14.240
 take your

00:30:14.240 --> 00:30:15.099
 stand against

00:30:15.099 --> 00:30:15.779
 the devil's

00:30:15.779 --> 00:30:16.199
 schemes.

00:30:18.039 --> 00:30:19.139
 For our

00:30:19.139 --> 00:30:20.639
 struggle is

00:30:20.639 --> 00:30:21.480
 not against

00:30:21.480 --> 00:30:22.720
 flesh and

00:30:22.720 --> 00:30:23.240
 blood,

00:30:24.240 --> 00:30:25.799
 but against

00:30:25.799 --> 00:30:26.579
 the rulers,

00:30:27.220 --> 00:30:28.000
 the authorities,

00:30:28.799 --> 00:30:29.319
 against the

00:30:29.319 --> 00:30:30.019
 powers of

00:30:30.019 --> 00:30:30.779
 this dark

00:30:30.779 --> 00:30:31.259
 world,

00:30:31.399 --> 00:30:31.919
 and against

00:30:31.919 --> 00:30:32.779
 the spiritual

00:30:32.779 --> 00:30:33.879
 forces of

00:30:33.879 --> 00:30:35.099
 evil in

00:30:35.099 --> 00:30:35.779
 the heavenly

00:30:35.779 --> 00:30:36.779
 realms.

00:30:37.359 --> 00:30:37.919
 Therefore,

00:30:37.920 --> 00:30:40.340
 put on

00:30:40.340 --> 00:30:40.900
 the full

00:30:40.900 --> 00:30:41.500
 armor of

00:30:41.500 --> 00:30:41.940
 God,

00:30:42.940 --> 00:30:43.420
 so that

00:30:43.420 --> 00:30:44.220
 when the

00:30:44.220 --> 00:30:44.600
 day of

00:30:44.600 --> 00:30:45.300
 evil comes,

00:30:45.500 --> 00:30:45.820
 you may

00:30:45.820 --> 00:30:46.360
 be able to

00:30:46.360 --> 00:30:47.460
 stand your

00:30:47.460 --> 00:30:48.140
 ground.

00:30:49.720 --> 00:30:50.519
 And after

00:30:50.519 --> 00:30:50.779
 you have

00:30:50.779 --> 00:30:51.519
 done everything,

00:30:52.279 --> 00:30:53.140
 to stand.

00:30:54.279 --> 00:30:54.759
 You see,

00:30:54.860 --> 00:30:55.779
 God's will

00:30:55.779 --> 00:30:58.620
 is that

00:30:58.620 --> 00:30:59.640
 his people

00:30:59.640 --> 00:31:00.660
 would be

00:31:00.660 --> 00:31:02.060
 strong in

00:31:02.060 --> 00:31:02.580
 Christ

00:31:02.580 --> 00:31:04.420
 and protected

00:31:04.420 --> 00:31:05.740
 from the

00:31:05.740 --> 00:31:06.259
 attacks of

00:31:06.259 --> 00:31:06.660
 the evil

00:31:06.660 --> 00:31:07.000
 one.

00:31:09.180 --> 00:31:09.500
 Now,

00:31:09.519 --> 00:31:09.960
 Paul goes

00:31:09.960 --> 00:31:10.380
 on to

00:31:10.380 --> 00:31:10.880
 speak of

00:31:10.880 --> 00:31:11.940
 the armor

00:31:11.940 --> 00:31:12.440
 of God

00:31:12.440 --> 00:31:13.000
 required,

00:31:13.220 --> 00:31:13.820
 among them

00:31:13.820 --> 00:31:14.460
 the belt

00:31:14.460 --> 00:31:15.060
 of truth,

00:31:16.019 --> 00:31:16.680
 the breastplate

00:31:16.680 --> 00:31:17.440
 of righteousness,

00:31:18.580 --> 00:31:19.080
 the shield

00:31:19.080 --> 00:31:19.720
 of faith

00:31:19.720 --> 00:31:20.320
 to fend

00:31:20.320 --> 00:31:21.259
 off the

00:31:21.259 --> 00:31:22.160
 fiery arrows

00:31:22.160 --> 00:31:22.519
 of the

00:31:22.519 --> 00:31:23.060
 evil one.

00:31:23.500 --> 00:31:24.000
 But I

00:31:24.000 --> 00:31:24.340
 want you

00:31:24.340 --> 00:31:24.620
 to see

00:31:24.620 --> 00:31:25.880
 how vitally

00:31:25.880 --> 00:31:26.380
 he connects

00:31:26.380 --> 00:31:27.740
 this to

00:31:27.740 --> 00:31:28.120
 prayer.

00:31:28.380 --> 00:31:28.700
 Look at

00:31:28.700 --> 00:31:29.400
 verse 18.

00:31:29.400 --> 00:31:32.920
 He says,

00:31:33.060 --> 00:31:33.940
 and pray

00:31:33.940 --> 00:31:34.519
 in the

00:31:34.519 --> 00:31:35.400
 spirit on

00:31:35.400 --> 00:31:36.640
 all occasions

00:31:36.640 --> 00:31:38.120
 with all

00:31:38.120 --> 00:31:38.960
 kinds of

00:31:38.960 --> 00:31:39.519
 prayers and

00:31:39.519 --> 00:31:40.100
 requests.

00:31:41.060 --> 00:31:41.720
 With this

00:31:41.720 --> 00:31:42.320
 in mind,

00:31:43.200 --> 00:31:44.200
 be alert

00:31:44.200 --> 00:31:46.640
 and always

00:31:46.640 --> 00:31:48.180
 keep on

00:31:48.180 --> 00:31:48.740
 praying

00:31:48.740 --> 00:31:50.560
 for all

00:31:50.560 --> 00:31:51.560
 the Lord's

00:31:51.560 --> 00:31:51.980
 people.

00:31:52.360 --> 00:31:53.340
 That is

00:31:53.340 --> 00:31:53.820
 both our

00:31:53.820 --> 00:31:54.220
 command

00:31:54.220 --> 00:31:55.680
 and our

00:31:55.680 --> 00:31:56.620
 privilege

00:31:56.620 --> 00:31:57.960
 in Christ.

00:31:57.960 --> 00:32:00.279
 in Christ,

00:32:00.620 --> 00:32:01.759
 we are

00:32:01.759 --> 00:32:02.680
 made worthy

00:32:02.680 --> 00:32:04.019
 to approach

00:32:04.019 --> 00:32:04.940
 God's

00:32:04.940 --> 00:32:05.380
 throne

00:32:05.380 --> 00:32:06.539
 and pray

00:32:06.539 --> 00:32:07.440
 for our

00:32:07.440 --> 00:32:08.000
 brothers and

00:32:08.000 --> 00:32:08.460
 sisters

00:32:08.460 --> 00:32:09.880
 in their

00:32:09.880 --> 00:32:10.299
 trouble.

00:32:11.940 --> 00:32:12.440
 There

00:32:12.440 --> 00:32:13.400
 are

00:32:13.400 --> 00:32:14.039
 brothers

00:32:14.039 --> 00:32:14.980
 whom God

00:32:14.980 --> 00:32:15.680
 will strengthen

00:32:15.680 --> 00:32:16.900
 to stand

00:32:16.900 --> 00:32:17.480
 firm through

00:32:17.480 --> 00:32:18.019
 times of

00:32:18.019 --> 00:32:18.380
 doubt

00:32:18.380 --> 00:32:19.980
 because you

00:32:19.980 --> 00:32:20.480
 prayed

00:32:20.480 --> 00:32:21.200
 Jesus'

00:32:21.480 --> 00:32:21.819
 promise

00:32:21.819 --> 00:32:22.519
 in John

00:32:22.519 --> 00:32:23.539
 chapter 6.

00:32:24.539 --> 00:32:25.140
 And this

00:32:25.140 --> 00:32:25.420
 is the

00:32:25.420 --> 00:32:25.779
 will of

00:32:25.779 --> 00:32:26.079
 him who

00:32:26.079 --> 00:32:26.620
 sent me

00:32:26.620 --> 00:32:27.140
 that I

00:32:27.140 --> 00:32:27.360
 shall

00:32:27.360 --> 00:32:27.660
 lose

00:32:27.660 --> 00:32:28.480
 none of

00:32:28.480 --> 00:32:28.880
 all he

00:32:28.880 --> 00:32:29.000
 has

00:32:29.000 --> 00:32:29.240
 given

00:32:29.240 --> 00:32:29.500
 me

00:32:29.500 --> 00:32:30.759
 but raise

00:32:30.759 --> 00:32:31.120
 them up

00:32:31.120 --> 00:32:31.320
 on the

00:32:31.320 --> 00:32:31.660
 last

00:32:31.660 --> 00:32:31.960
 day.

00:32:33.720 --> 00:32:34.500
 There are

00:32:34.500 --> 00:32:34.940
 sisters

00:32:34.940 --> 00:32:36.660
 who will

00:32:36.660 --> 00:32:37.180
 not lose

00:32:37.180 --> 00:32:37.540
 hope

00:32:37.540 --> 00:32:38.779
 even though

00:32:38.779 --> 00:32:38.940
 they are

00:32:38.940 --> 00:32:39.320
 going through

00:32:39.320 --> 00:32:39.660
 a time

00:32:39.660 --> 00:32:40.040
 of deep

00:32:40.040 --> 00:32:40.480
 suffering

00:32:40.480 --> 00:32:41.259
 because you

00:32:41.259 --> 00:32:41.660
 prayed

00:32:41.660 --> 00:32:42.720
 this promise

00:32:42.720 --> 00:32:43.279
 from Romans

00:32:43.279 --> 00:32:43.620
 8.

00:32:44.800 --> 00:32:45.380
 We know

00:32:45.380 --> 00:32:45.720
 that in

00:32:45.720 --> 00:32:46.580
 all things

00:32:46.580 --> 00:32:47.220
 God

00:32:47.220 --> 00:32:48.240
 works for

00:32:48.240 --> 00:32:48.779
 the good

00:32:48.779 --> 00:32:49.240
 of those

00:32:49.240 --> 00:32:49.700
 who love

00:32:49.700 --> 00:32:49.940
 him,

00:32:50.120 --> 00:32:50.360
 who have

00:32:50.360 --> 00:32:51.000
 been called

00:32:51.000 --> 00:32:51.420
 according

00:32:51.420 --> 00:32:51.759
 to his

00:32:51.759 --> 00:32:52.180
 purpose.

00:32:52.180 --> 00:32:55.880
 there will

00:32:55.880 --> 00:32:56.039
 be

00:32:56.039 --> 00:32:56.400
 brothers

00:32:56.400 --> 00:32:56.880
 whom

00:32:56.880 --> 00:32:57.759
 God

00:32:57.759 --> 00:32:58.019
 will

00:32:58.019 --> 00:32:58.560
 enable

00:32:58.560 --> 00:32:58.840
 to

00:32:58.840 --> 00:32:59.519
 stand

00:32:59.519 --> 00:33:00.440
 through

00:33:00.440 --> 00:33:01.140
 temptation

00:33:01.140 --> 00:33:01.740
 because

00:33:01.740 --> 00:33:02.539
 you

00:33:02.539 --> 00:33:02.940
 prayed

00:33:02.940 --> 00:33:03.500
 words like

00:33:03.500 --> 00:33:03.880
 these

00:33:03.880 --> 00:33:04.960
 in 1 Corinthians.

00:33:04.960 --> 00:33:05.500
 God is

00:33:05.500 --> 00:33:05.900
 faithful.

00:33:06.900 --> 00:33:07.140
 He will

00:33:07.140 --> 00:33:07.660
 not let

00:33:07.660 --> 00:33:07.980
 you be

00:33:07.980 --> 00:33:08.279
 tempted

00:33:08.279 --> 00:33:08.740
 beyond

00:33:08.740 --> 00:33:09.160
 what you

00:33:09.160 --> 00:33:09.580
 can bear.

00:33:14.200 --> 00:33:14.759
 Let's

00:33:14.759 --> 00:33:15.240
 open up

00:33:15.240 --> 00:33:15.600
 God's

00:33:15.600 --> 00:33:15.920
 word.

00:33:15.920 --> 00:33:17.920
 promises

00:33:17.920 --> 00:33:23.259
 that God

00:33:23.259 --> 00:33:24.340
 lays on

00:33:24.340 --> 00:33:25.140
 our hearts

00:33:25.140 --> 00:33:26.019
 to pray

00:33:26.019 --> 00:33:26.539
 over

00:33:26.539 --> 00:33:27.800
 one another's

00:33:27.800 --> 00:33:27.980
 lives.

00:33:28.160 --> 00:33:28.700
 That is

00:33:28.700 --> 00:33:29.300
 one of

00:33:29.300 --> 00:33:29.580
 God's

00:33:29.580 --> 00:33:30.240
 main

00:33:30.240 --> 00:33:30.640
 primary

00:33:30.640 --> 00:33:31.240
 means

00:33:31.240 --> 00:33:32.200
 of

00:33:32.200 --> 00:33:32.880
 protecting

00:33:32.880 --> 00:33:33.880
 one

00:33:33.880 --> 00:33:34.640
 another.

00:33:37.380 --> 00:33:38.259
 God's

00:33:38.259 --> 00:33:38.720
 will

00:33:38.720 --> 00:33:39.800
 is that

00:33:39.800 --> 00:33:41.019
 all of

00:33:41.019 --> 00:33:41.300
 his

00:33:41.300 --> 00:33:41.720
 covenant

00:33:41.720 --> 00:33:42.539
 people

00:33:42.539 --> 00:33:43.080
 in

00:33:43.080 --> 00:33:43.800
 Christ

00:33:43.800 --> 00:33:45.900
 those

00:33:45.900 --> 00:33:46.780
 united

00:33:46.780 --> 00:33:47.040
 to

00:33:47.040 --> 00:33:47.500
 Christ

00:33:47.500 --> 00:33:48.000
 would

00:33:48.000 --> 00:33:48.180
 be

00:33:48.180 --> 00:33:48.460
 kept

00:33:48.460 --> 00:33:49.280
 safe

00:33:49.280 --> 00:33:49.940
 and

00:33:49.940 --> 00:33:50.680
 secure

00:33:50.680 --> 00:33:52.060
 in

00:33:52.060 --> 00:33:52.920
 him

00:33:52.920 --> 00:33:53.460
 forever.

00:33:53.740 --> 00:33:54.220
 As

00:33:54.220 --> 00:33:54.440
 we

00:33:54.440 --> 00:33:54.800
 pray

00:33:54.800 --> 00:33:55.240
 God's

00:33:55.240 --> 00:33:55.519
 word

00:33:55.519 --> 00:33:57.160
 we

00:33:57.160 --> 00:33:57.480
 ask

00:33:57.480 --> 00:33:57.880
 God

00:33:57.880 --> 00:33:58.440
 to

00:33:58.440 --> 00:33:58.820
 protect

00:33:58.820 --> 00:33:59.019
 one

00:33:59.019 --> 00:33:59.380
 another

00:33:59.380 --> 00:34:00.180
 as

00:34:00.180 --> 00:34:00.360
 he

00:34:00.360 --> 00:34:00.580
 has

00:34:00.580 --> 00:34:01.000
 promised.

00:34:01.540 --> 00:34:01.540


00:34:01.540 --> 00:34:02.560
 when

00:34:02.560 --> 00:34:02.759
 the

00:34:02.759 --> 00:34:03.180
 shoots

00:34:03.180 --> 00:34:03.420
 of

00:34:03.420 --> 00:34:03.600
 our

00:34:03.600 --> 00:34:04.140
 prayers

00:34:04.140 --> 00:34:04.720
 begin

00:34:04.720 --> 00:34:04.960
 to

00:34:04.960 --> 00:34:05.380
 push

00:34:05.380 --> 00:34:05.580
 up

00:34:05.580 --> 00:34:05.840
 through

00:34:05.840 --> 00:34:06.019
 the

00:34:06.019 --> 00:34:06.400
 ground

00:34:06.400 --> 00:34:08.059
 and

00:34:08.059 --> 00:34:08.200
 the

00:34:08.200 --> 00:34:08.680
 flowers

00:34:08.680 --> 00:34:09.019
 begin

00:34:09.019 --> 00:34:09.220
 to

00:34:09.220 --> 00:34:10.059
 unfurl

00:34:10.059 --> 00:34:10.579
 their

00:34:10.579 --> 00:34:11.099
 petals

00:34:11.099 --> 00:34:12.500
 when

00:34:12.500 --> 00:34:12.740
 God

00:34:12.740 --> 00:34:13.039
 comes

00:34:13.039 --> 00:34:13.320
 through

00:34:13.320 --> 00:34:13.420
 in

00:34:13.420 --> 00:34:13.559
 his

00:34:13.559 --> 00:34:13.940
 promises

00:34:13.940 --> 00:34:15.139
 in

00:34:15.139 --> 00:34:15.280
 our

00:34:15.280 --> 00:34:15.639
 brothers

00:34:15.639 --> 00:34:15.859
 and

00:34:15.859 --> 00:34:16.159
 sisters

00:34:16.159 --> 00:34:16.579
 lives.

00:34:17.379 --> 00:34:17.980
 We're

00:34:17.980 --> 00:34:18.239
 not

00:34:18.239 --> 00:34:18.400
 going

00:34:18.400 --> 00:34:18.599
 to

00:34:18.599 --> 00:34:19.039
 turn

00:34:19.039 --> 00:34:19.299
 around

00:34:19.299 --> 00:34:19.500
 and

00:34:19.500 --> 00:34:19.739
 say

00:34:19.739 --> 00:34:20.099
 oh

00:34:20.099 --> 00:34:20.920
 me

00:34:20.920 --> 00:34:21.839
 it

00:34:21.839 --> 00:34:21.980
 was

00:34:21.980 --> 00:34:22.199
 all

00:34:22.199 --> 00:34:22.339
 me

00:34:22.339 --> 00:34:22.579
 I

00:34:22.579 --> 00:34:22.960
 prayed

00:34:22.960 --> 00:34:23.219
 for

00:34:23.219 --> 00:34:23.539
 you

00:34:23.539 --> 00:34:25.099
 that's

00:34:25.099 --> 00:34:25.420
 why

00:34:25.420 --> 00:34:25.940
 this

00:34:25.940 --> 00:34:26.159
 good

00:34:26.159 --> 00:34:26.339
 thing

00:34:26.339 --> 00:34:26.480
 has

00:34:26.480 --> 00:34:26.779
 happened

00:34:26.779 --> 00:34:27.379
 no

00:34:27.379 --> 00:34:30.400
 we're

00:34:30.400 --> 00:34:30.500
 going

00:34:30.500 --> 00:34:30.619
 to

00:34:30.619 --> 00:34:31.019
 glory

00:34:31.019 --> 00:34:31.279
 in

00:34:31.279 --> 00:34:31.719
 Jesus

00:34:31.719 --> 00:34:33.819
 the

00:34:33.819 --> 00:34:34.039
 one

00:34:34.039 --> 00:34:34.159
 who

00:34:34.159 --> 00:34:34.339
 made

00:34:34.339 --> 00:34:34.519
 us

00:34:34.519 --> 00:34:34.960
 worthy

00:34:34.960 --> 00:34:35.639
 to

00:34:35.639 --> 00:34:36.079
 approach

00:34:36.079 --> 00:34:36.259
 the

00:34:36.259 --> 00:34:36.539
 father

00:34:36.539 --> 00:34:36.699
 in

00:34:36.699 --> 00:34:36.799
 the

00:34:36.799 --> 00:34:37.039
 first

00:34:37.039 --> 00:34:37.359
 place

00:34:37.359 --> 00:34:38.139
 and

00:34:38.139 --> 00:34:38.279
 the

00:34:38.279 --> 00:34:38.519
 one

00:34:38.519 --> 00:34:38.699
 whose

00:34:38.699 --> 00:34:39.279
 power

00:34:39.279 --> 00:34:40.079
 is

00:34:40.079 --> 00:34:40.759
 sufficient

00:34:40.759 --> 00:34:41.819
 to

00:34:41.819 --> 00:34:42.379
 protect

00:34:42.379 --> 00:34:43.199
 and

00:34:43.199 --> 00:34:43.579
 keep

00:34:43.579 --> 00:34:43.839
 his

00:34:43.839 --> 00:34:44.119
 sheep

00:34:44.119 --> 00:34:44.599
 all

00:34:44.599 --> 00:34:44.920
 the

00:34:44.920 --> 00:34:45.299
 way

00:34:45.300 --> 00:34:46.260
 to

00:34:46.260 --> 00:34:46.420
 their

00:34:46.420 --> 00:34:46.700
 heavenly

00:34:46.700 --> 00:34:47.080
 home

00:34:47.080 --> 00:34:48.280
 just

00:34:48.280 --> 00:34:48.480
 as

00:34:48.480 --> 00:34:48.620
 he

00:34:48.620 --> 00:34:49.140
 promised

00:34:49.140 --> 00:34:52.120
 for

00:34:52.120 --> 00:34:52.700
 all

00:34:52.700 --> 00:34:52.920
 the

00:34:52.920 --> 00:34:53.400
 promises

00:34:53.400 --> 00:34:53.680
 of

00:34:53.680 --> 00:34:54.019
 God

00:34:54.019 --> 00:34:55.300
 find

00:34:55.300 --> 00:34:55.539
 their

00:34:55.539 --> 00:34:56.000
 yes

00:34:56.000 --> 00:34:56.220
 in

00:34:56.220 --> 00:34:56.580
 Christ

00:34:56.580 --> 00:34:57.700
 and

00:34:57.700 --> 00:34:57.860
 that

00:34:57.860 --> 00:34:58.000
 is

00:34:58.000 --> 00:34:58.240
 why

00:34:58.240 --> 00:34:58.539
 through

00:34:58.539 --> 00:34:58.900
 him

00:34:58.900 --> 00:34:59.840
 that

00:34:59.840 --> 00:35:00.039
 we

00:35:00.039 --> 00:35:00.420
 say

00:35:00.420 --> 00:35:00.680
 our

00:35:00.680 --> 00:35:01.500
 amen

00:35:01.500 --> 00:35:02.060
 to

00:35:02.060 --> 00:35:02.500
 God

00:35:02.500 --> 00:35:03.420
 for

00:35:03.420 --> 00:35:03.660
 his

00:35:03.660 --> 00:35:04.080
 glory

00:35:04.080 --> 00:35:04.840
 the

00:35:04.840 --> 00:35:05.280
 glory

00:35:05.280 --> 00:35:05.519
 is

00:35:05.519 --> 00:35:05.900
 his

00:35:05.900 --> 00:35:07.200
 the

00:35:07.200 --> 00:35:07.640
 privilege

00:35:07.640 --> 00:35:07.860
 of

00:35:07.860 --> 00:35:08.240
 praying

00:35:08.240 --> 00:35:09.000
 is

00:35:09.000 --> 00:35:09.420
 ours

00:35:09.420 --> 00:35:10.559
 let's

00:35:10.559 --> 00:35:10.700
 do

00:35:10.700 --> 00:35:10.880
 that

00:35:10.880 --> 00:35:11.059
 now