Talk

Our God Will Fight for Us

Brad Jones

January, 21, 2024

Focusing on the book of Nehemiah, Brad Jones challenges us to change our order of thinking when faced with adversity. Instead of seeking counsel from everyone around us or trying to deal with things on our own and then pleading with God when that fails us, Brad empowers us to pray and fast as the prophet Nehemiah did, prayer being his first response.

Key Takeaway

Prayer and fasting have the power to change your life and the lives of those around you.

1.) Prayer should be our first response, not our last resort.

Through the book of Nehemiah, we see Nehemiah, cupbearer to the king, immediately turn to God in prayer. He started praying, and did not stop praying.

2.) Prayer and fasting doesn't just move the heart of God, but it moves us.

Nehemiah prayed for help and opportunity. Have we asked God to send us? We can shift our thinking from noticing what we would be giving up and instead, we can think of everything we would gain from following Jesus. God wants to answer your prayers, but He also wants to put an assignment on your life.

3.) Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

We are called to call on heaven on the behalf of those who hurt us. We don't have the power to change others, but God does, and our enemies could become kingdom-builders.

4.) When we face opposition, we don't stop praying.

There are moments and trials that make us want to give up, but we need people devoted to prayer. (Colossians 4:2) Be willing to get vulnerable with someone else and ask for prayer when faced with opposition.

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Through prayer, we can fight and contend for ourselves and others, but we must remember that the unrivaled, victorious God of all creation is fighting for us.

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"The more we carve out time through the privilege of prayer and fasting, we'll start sensing God has an assignment on me. God has a mission on your life."

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Brad Jones

Discussion Questions

Do you ever struggle with prayer because you feel as if your words aren't impressive or eloquent? How can you shift this thinking?
How does prayer play a part in your response to crisis? Do you pray first or pray later?
How has prayer and fasting moved your heart?
How has God used you to answer the prayer of another?
Have you asked God to use you recently? How can you add this into your daily routine of prayer?
Is there someone in your life that you perceive to be your enemy? How can you work toward praying for them?
How have you seen God change the life of someone that you used to have animosity toward?
When we faced with opposition, have you ever responded with continuous prayer?
Do you pray continually for those around you? How can you improve this practice?
Do you find it hard to be vulnerable with the people around you? Who can you trust with your prayer requests?

Scripture References

1The words of Nehemiah son of Hakaliah:

In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, 2Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.

2Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.

3They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”

4When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.

5Then I said:

“

Lord

, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. 7We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.

6let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you.

7We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.

8“Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations,

9but 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.’

10“They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand.

11Lord, 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.”

I was cupbearer to the king.

16Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

1In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before,

1The words of Nehemiah son of Hakaliah:

2Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.

3They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”

4When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.

5Then I said:

“

Lord

7We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.

8“Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations,

10“They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand.

I was cupbearer to the king.

20Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!”

31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

22But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—

23if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

4because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people—

5the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel

6that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace.

2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

Brad Jones

Passion City Church Atlanta is pastored by Brad Jones. Together, he and his wife Brittany have been a part of the Passion Movement for over a decade helping carry the heartbeat of Passion Conference and Passion City Church. They live in Atlanta with their two children, Caleb and Addy.