A few months ago the SBC announced a nationwide call to prayer.  I am leading UBC to take up the challenge.  I began a series of messages on New Year's Day titled "A call to prayer: What happens when we pray?"  The Lord has led me to preach thru the book of Nehemiah with this theme in mind.  In just 2 chapters we have discovered at least 15 things that happen when we pray...most of which happens in you...the rest happens thru you all by God's amazing and powerful grace.  So let me list them by chapter.

Nehemia Chapter 1 - What happens when we pray?

1 - God gives us a tender heart as we weep, fast and pray in His presence

2 - God gives us a right perspective of Himself and ourselves

3 - We get a personified view of God and a personal experience with God

4 - We get a hightened sensitivity to sin...both personal and corporate

5 - We get assurance of forgiveness from God and a right relationship with God

6 - We get assurance that we are not alone in our prayers

7 - We get bold fresh new ideas to pray for success and favor

 

Nehemiah chapter 2 - What happens when we pray?

8 - We get courage to face our fears and speak the truth in love

9 - We learn to listen to God while we pray (prayer is a dialogue not a monologue)

10 - We receive boldness to pray in public when needed

11 - We learn to be specific in our prayers and God will be specific in His answers

12 - God moves the heart of even ungodly leaders.

13 - Opposition shows up.

14 - We learn to focus on our divine vision/mission and inspire others to follow us as we follow God

15 - Your trust and hope remains in God while you lead your followers and firmly confront your opposition.