We can learn from Nehemiah’s example how to pray for ourselves in the pursuit of holiness. Like Nehemiah, we need to set aside time each day for planned, protracted, persevering prayer. We need to lay before the Lord any areas of persistent sin in our lives: sins such as gossip, irritability, impatience, lack of love, impure thoughts, and undisciplined wandering eyes. These sins need to be the object of earnest prayer that God would work in us and enable us to deal with them. Note that I said, enable us. We are the ones who must deal with these sins, but the Holy Spirit must enable us to do it.
- Bridges, Jerry; The Disciplined of Grace:God’s Role and Our Role in the Pursuit of Holiness; NavPress; Colorado Springs; copyright 1994; p. 140-141
