Our SCAC HQ staffs meet for 45 minutes’ morning devotion every Tuesday. We take turn to lead the devotion which includes time for worship, singing, sharing God’s Word, responses and intercession. For the past 11 years, we never cease meeting in this manner, especially when we study the Old and New Testaments alternately every year. We studied the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah last year and this year the Book of Revelation. This meeting not only fosters better relationship between us, but more importantly we grow in the knowledge of God, sharing His messages together, praying for strength and wisdom, to become people after His own heart.
As for me, the Book of Nehemiah reminded me of the importance of prayer. Nehemiah prayed when he prepared to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem (1:4-11); he prayed when he encountered opposition and obstacles during the process of rebuilding (5:19), and when he finished rebuilding the wall and revived Israelites, he prayed again (13:22,31). Nehemiah’s life and work was never easy. He was frustrated and angry at times when his people sinned, and he faced opposition and attack from outside. Even though he was a good leader, organizer, manager and administrator, he returned to the Lord and prayed. As a result, he accomplished the tasks of rebuilding the wall and bringing people back to God.
I learn and practise the following lessons from Nehemiah’s prayer life:
1. Prayer starts with praise and adoration to God: “O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God…”(1:4)
2. Prayer with sincere confession of sin: “… I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s house, have committed against you.”(1:6)
3. Prayer believing in God’s promises:“ Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’”(1:8-9)
4. Prayer involves petition or request that God’s plan be done on His people: “O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.”(1:11)
5. Prayer is a yearning and thirst for God’s favor, mercy and love“… O Lord, … God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands.”(1:5)“ Remember me with favor, O my God, for all I have done for these people.”(5:19)“ Remember me with favor, O my God.”(13:31)
It is through prayer that Nehemiah overcame hardships, challenges, obstacles and frustration. He became strong, faithful and steadfast again, and succeeded in mission.
The challenges and hard time we face this year in view of political, economic, religious and social situations will not fade away quickly. Life is still hard: not enough money to spend, no increase in salary… But as God’s children, we have God who cares and gives wisdom to be good stewards.
He is with us, by us and in us all the time. Let us continue to usher in 2016 with great joy, and imitate Nehemiah’s example to overcome every hardship through prayer. Wish you all a blessed New Year and “Be people of prayer” !
Rev. Su Chii Ann,
President,
Sarawak Chinese Annual Conference
The Methodist Church in Malaysia