So I Prayed to the God of Heaven.
The sermon emphasizes the importance of prayer in the midst of adversity and encourages listeners to develop the habit of prayer in their busy lives.
F.B. Meyer emphasizes the power of immediate prayer as demonstrated by Nehemiah, who, despite being surrounded by idol worship and the grandeur of a king, turned his heart to God in a moment of need. Nehemiah's instinctive prayer illustrates the importance of maintaining a close relationship with God, allowing for spontaneous communication even in the busiest of environments. Meyer encourages believers to cultivate a habit of prayer through private fellowship with God, enabling them to seek divine guidance at any moment. This sermon serves as a reminder that our inner temple can always be a place of refuge and connection with our Heavenly King.
Text
So I prayed to the God of Heaven. Neh. ii. 4.
ALL around the apartment in which this interview took place were effigies of idol gods: perhaps incense was burning before a shrine, and filling the air with its aroma. But Nehemiah, though standing amid these heathen emblems, and in the presence of the gre atest king on earth, thought little of either one or the other, and prostrated himself in spirit before the throne of heaven. Remember that thou hast within thee a shrine, a temple into which at any moment, even amid the excitement of an earthly court, thou mayest retire and ask direction of thy King and Friend.
He had been sorely startled by the king's question; he did not know that his face had betrayed him. He had, doubtless, intended to seek an interview with the king, and formally state the whole case (see i. 11). But to be taken thus at unawares, to have to state his case on the spur of the moment, appeared to take him at a great disadvantage; and he instinctively turned to prayer.
How little the king knew what was transpiring, or what had happened between his question and the reply which was given, apparently, without the loss of a moment. But how beautiful is the example for ourselves! You cannot acquire this habit of ejaculatory prayer unless you spend prolonged periods in holy fellowship. But when you are much with God in private, you will not find it diffecult at any moment to step aside to ask Him a question.The busy mart or the crowded street may at any time become the place of prayer.
"A touch divine
And the sealed eyeball owns the mystic rod;
Visibly through His garden walketh God."
Sermon Outline
- Prayer in the Midst of Adversity
- The Power of Prayer in the Busy Life
- The Example of Nehemiah
- Nehemiah's Example of Prayer
- The Beauty of Prayer in the Midst of Adversity
Key Quotes
“A touch divine / And the sealed eyeball owns the mystic rod; / Visibly through His garden walketh God.” — F.B. Meyer
“You cannot acquire this habit of ejaculatory prayer unless you spend prolonged periods in holy fellowship.” — F.B. Meyer
Application Points
- Make prayer a natural part of your daily life by spending time in holy fellowship with God.
- Remember that you can pray anywhere, at any time, to seek guidance and direction from God.
- Develop the habit of ejaculatory prayer by regularly seeking God's presence in your life.