Nehemiah 9:1-37

1. Read Nehemiah 9:1-15. This chapter is the longest prayer in the whole Bible, and it contains an extraordinary number of details
   about who God is and what He is like. From this passage alone, what characteristics of God are disclosed? In other words, what is God like?
2. Of all God's attributes you identified in the previous question, which ones stand out to you the most? Discuss with one another why it is good news that this is who our God is. Try to be specific.
3. How does each sentence begin in verses 6-15? What is significant about praying this way? Do you ever pray like this? Discuss.
4. Read Nehemiah 9:16-21. Just like those who enslaved them in Egypt, God's people acted presumptuously. They stiffened their necks and hardened their hearts. What about you? Are there any areas of your life right now where your heart is hard toward God?
5. Have someone read the last sentence of verse 17 several times. God is the same today as He was then. He has not changed. If you're honest, which attribute of God in this sentence is hardest for you to believe right now? Why do you think that is?
6. Spend some unhurried time in prayer. Use the general structure of Nehemiah 9 as a model to guide your words.
   1) Who is God? Give Him glory and praise for every one of His attributes you can think of. Tell God who He is!
   2) What has He done? As the verses of Nehemiah 9:6-15 declare and celebrate God and His wondrous works, praise God for things He has done and things you have seen Him do.
   3) Confession. There were dark chapters in Israel's story, and there are dark chapters in ours. Confess to God ways you have sinned. These can be sins in the past or things you are in the middle of right now. Where is your heart hard toward God?
   4) Petitions and Supplication. You have needs and desires-and God wants you to share them with Him! Make your requests known to Him. Pray for help, provision, and blessing.
   5) Who is God? End with praise. Give God glory for who He is.