“O You who hear prayer, to You all flesh will come.” (Psalm 65:2, NKJV) 

How do you typically begin your prayers? Do you refer to God in the same way each time, perhaps “Father” or “Holy Lord” or “Almighty God”? In the model prayer Jesus taught us, He has us enter the presence of God by addressing Him as “our Father in heaven” and “Father” is a favorite appellation for Him, as can be seen in His high priestly prayer of John 17. 

When Nehemiah heard the hard news of the state of his countrymen and of Jerusalem, he was moved to tears and moved to cry out to the “God of heaven,” the living and true God who ruled on high over all things. Now, as he turns to prayer, how does he begin? 

He begins with a double name, invoking the generic name for God (Elohim) and the name of covenant bond (Yahweh). He is the God who has entered into personal relationship with a particular people. In using those names it is tantamount to invoking God's invitation to access, “I am God, your God, and you are My people,” much like we would use the name “Father” to testify to our personal adoptive relationship with God through Jesus Christ. 

Nehemiah goes on to amplify this double address, fleshing it out a bit as a savory delight to his aching soul. “O great and awesome God, You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love You and observe Your commandments” (Neh. 1:5). 

Nehemiah speaks to God but he also speaks to his own spirit, reminding himself of his relationship and God’s promise to attend to him and to give ear to his pleas. Nehemiah has right of access and expectation to be heard. He is setting himself up to cast his cares upon God because he is assured that God cares for him. 

That is the case for us in Christ, in whom God’s faithfulness and steadfast love are ultimately realized. We can come before God without fear and with great joy. We can approach the throne of grace to find mercy and grace to help in time of need. We would do well to rehearse these redemptive realities in our approach to God. 

Nehemiah positions himself as one indebted to God’s gracious love and one indentured in love as God’s servant. “[P]lease let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now, day and night, for the children of Israel Your servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against You. Both my father’s house and I have sinned” (Neh. 1:6). 

Nehemiah adopts the posture of one who can make no demands, who will assert no rights. He casts himself upon the good pleasure of the God of heaven. He prays as a leader on behalf of a sinful people, among whom he counts himself. He does not cover up the sin that should disqualify him from seeking God but instead confesses it and runs to God who has extended the scepter of mercy, access, and promise. 

Nehemiah prays day and night, giving God no rest, confident that if he seeks Him, He will be found, and received, and refreshed. 

Why is it helpful to vary your address of God? What titles or attributes or descriptives might you use? 

If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15). 

Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.