Redemption Praying

Nehemiah 1-2; Psalms 133; Luke 22

“…’O Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands…They are your servants and your people, who you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand.”

Nehemiah 1:5, 10

“In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.’”

Luke 22:20

Jesus emphasized the third cup of the Passover meal with his disciples, the cup of redemption. It was the same redemption that Nehemiah was appealing to as he interceded for his people and their desperate state. Even in exile, Nehemiah would have celebrated Passover with his fellow Jews in Babylon. In intercession, Nehemiah was appealing to God’s covenant-keeping nature, his promises, and his deliverance and redemption in the past. Not only did God answer Nehemiah’s prayer by enabling his people to rebuild the wall in Jerusalem, but God sent his Son to bring redemption and salvation to both the Jewish people and all nations. 

How much more confidence should we have as we intercede for those in need of rebuilding restoration and redemption?

“Lord Jesus, I ask for your redemption of my people, my family, my nation, for your glory.”