Text: Nehemiah 1:4-11
Memory verse:
“Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established.” Proverbs‬ ‭16‬:‭3‬
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The task before Nehemiah was a difficult and seemingly impossible one. Many factors would have disqualified him. Yet, Nehemiah overcame all obstacles and accomplished the task in record time.
What then was his secret? He involved God from the beginning to the end of his plan. This is wise planning. He wasn’t presumptuous nor had confidence in self.
“So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.” ‭‭(Neh‬ ‭1‬:‭4‬).
Notice what he did when he heard the distressing news about the survivors in Judah and about the broken walls of Jerusalem. He didn’t act hastily to go to the king to seek permission to leave nor did he begin to strategize. Rather, he sat down first to humble himself before God and to pray. Prayerfulness is the attitude which expresses helplessness and utter poverty without God while prayerlessness is an attitude of self-sufficiency and independence. Prayerlessness is the highest expression of pride. Nehemiah demonstrated that God has all He needed to succeed. He sought for divine guidance through prayer and fasting. He sought for a blue print on what to do. God heard him by giving him great favour before the king, as he received more than he asked for. “Share your plans with the LORD, and you will succeed.” (Prov 16:3 CEV)
Friends, the plan that succeeds is the plan that receives God’s favour and the favour you receive from man is a product of the favour of God on you. You need God to cause men’s heart to be disposed toward you (Prov 21:1; 16:7). Prayer, not wishes, provokes God’s favour but you can’t pray unless you plan to pray. Plan to pray by consciously setting time to do nothing but pray. In anything and everything, the best plan begins with prayer and ends with prayer. May your plans receive divine favour in Jesus name.

Prayer points
1. Father, please, forgive me for every way I have been presumptuous and left You out of my plans in Jesus name.
2. Father, please, give me favour before men and prosper my plans as I commit them to You in Jesus name.

Today’s declarations
1. I succeed because I begin my plan with prayer and end it with God.
2. Prayer causes my plan to receive God’s favour but I can’t pray unless I plan to pray by consciously setting time to do nothing but pray.

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