Confession of Sin

Neh. 1:6-7  “…..listen to my prayer!  Look down and see me praying night and day for your people Israel.  I confess that we have sinned against you.  Yes, even my own family and I have sinned!”  We have sinned terribly by not obeying the commands, laws, and regulations that you gave us through your servant Moses.”

This is a confession of sin.  Nehemiah was praying long and hard for the people of Israel.  He knew that they were not right with God.  Even though God had chosen them to be His own, they had chosen not to embrace Him.  They were content with living in their sins.  They did not regard God as worth their time or energy.  They kept going deeper and deeper into the evils that surrounded them.

Notice that before Nehemiah prayed for the Israelites, he prayed for himself and his family.  He did not think for a moment that he was not guilty before God.  He knew that he had to be right with God before he could pray for others.  It is essential for us to confess our own sins before we concern ourselves with the sins of others.  No one is without sin problems.  We all fall short of the glory of God.  We all have the need to admit our sins, confess them, and seek Christ’s forgiveness. 

Once we deal with our own sins, then we can plead with God on the behalf of others.  And yes, we should, no we must, be in prayer for the sins of others.  We live in very perilous times.  Sin raises its ugly head blatantly wherever you go.  The times are desperate.  The coming of the Lord to purify all things is very soon.  Time is running out on the lost.  We must pray like we have never prayed before.  We must be praying for our families, friends, neighbors, and whoever is lost that they may be saved before the Lord comes.  There is still time for souls to be saved.  Prayer is the key to unlocking heaven’s door. 

Pray and then go and tell whoever you can that today is the day of salvation.  Tell them that once the Lord closes the door of opportunity, it will be too late.  Tell them that there still is victory available to them in Christ Jesus.  Tell them.  How can you say you love them if you never tell them?