“Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father’s house have sinned.” Nehemiah 1:6

“Prayer, is a habit of attention brought to bear on all that is.” – Patricia Hampl. A habit of attention… means to focus, concentrate, and center our minds and thoughts on one aspect. The first step in prayer is to acknowledge or to “know” that God is God. In this resolution, all that is within us focuses on the sovereignty and omniscience of our Creator; we can humbly admit our failures, weaknesses, and limitations to the only One who can respond to our human vulnerability with infinite mercy. “Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.” Psalm 107:6.

If we genuinely love the Lord and our fellowman, we will pray not only for ourselves but for others. The book of Nehemiah chapter one gives an example of his heart wrenching prayer to God when hearing the ruined state concerning the Jews and their homeland in Jerusalem. “Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father’s house have sinned.” Nehemiah 1:6.

Nehemiah was committed to praying day and night for the servants of God; God answered Nehemiah’s prayer and gave him favor in the sight of the King; he was allowed to go to Jerusalem and bring relief to God’s people. God always answers our prayers according to His will. 1 John 5:14 state “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”

Who are you praying for today? I am reminded of the gospel spiritual that goes… “Somebody prayed for me, had me on their mind, they took the time and prayed for me. I’m so glad they prayed.”- Georgia Mass Choir.  Praise God that He places His saints on the minds of faithful servants who will pray. Are you willing to be obedient when He calls and you hear that small whisper of concern for a friend, a neighbor, pastor, loved one or others to pray for? Prayer is the greatest gift that we can give.

My friends, let us commit to steadfast prayer not just for ourselves, but others-for there is power in prayer! “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”  James 5:16. God is faithful and He will answer!

Blessings and peace to all.