HANCOCK CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH
March 8, 2026
Welcome to worship at Hancock CRC! Today is a day in which we worship the Lord, hear from His Word, and fellowship with His saints. After the service, please join us downstairs for refreshments and fellowship!
GREETING: Glenna Ver Steeg
Next Sunday: Roger and Connie Evink
REFRESHMENTS: John and Glenna Ver Steeg
Next Sunday: Roger and Connie Evink
USHER: Vern Christie
Next Sunday: Cory Evink
NURSERY: Trinity Meinders
Next Sunday: Ashley Luthi
LIBRARIAN for March: Rita Bolluyt
CHURCH CALENDAR:
TODAY, Sunday, March 8, 10:00 A.M.:
Pastor David will lead the Morning Worship Service. The Praise Team will lead Praise Time. The special offering will be for Denominational Ministry Shares. After the service, please join us in the church basement for cake, coffee, and a meat and cheese tray in celebration of John and Glenna Ver Steeg's 50th wedding anniversary!
11:00 A.M.: Sunday School (Preschool-1st Grade 2nd-5th Grade)
11:15 A.M.: Catechism (6th-8th Grade)
11:30 A.M.:
Informational Meeting in the sanctuary, at which Council will present three proposals to be voted on at our Voting Meeting on March 17. These proposals are outlined in the letter which has been distributed in your mailboxes.
6:00 P.M.:
Pastor David will lead the Evening Worship Service.
Monday, March 9, 7:00 P.M.:
Worship Committee will meet.
Tuesday, March 10, 7:00 P.M.:
Council will meet. Randy Evink will serve refreshments.
Wednesday, March 11, 6:30-7:00 A.M.:
Weekly prayer meeting at church. All are welcome to join us in prayer!
3:15-5:00 P.M.:
Kid Connection will meet. Our lesson will be “Worshipping Correctly” from Exodus 35-40 and Numbers 10. Rachel Dick has signed up for snack.
7:00 P.M.:
Prayer Day Service.
Next Sunday, March 15, 10:00 A.M.:
Pastor David will lead the Morning Worship Service. The special offering will be for the Future Building Improvement Fund.
11:00 A.M.: Sunday School (Preschool-1st Grade 2nd-5th Grade)
11:15 A.M.: Catechism (6th-8th Grade 9th-12th Grade)
12:00 P.M.: Potluck of hot dishes and salads. Circle 1 is asked to serve.
6:00 P.M.:
Pastor David will lead the Evening Worship Service.
OUR CHURCH FAMILY:
Terry Lebens spent some more time in the hospital this week, but is now back home. Please pray for Terry’s recovery.
Please continue to pray for Dak Foss, Dave Evink, Merlin Koerner, Jim Lonneman, Gary Wubben, the elderly, those with ongoing health issues, and those grieving the loss of loved ones.
BIRTHDAYS:
March 10: Taysom Foss
Upcoming Special Offerings:
March 22 – Benevolent Fund
March 29 – Lakeside Cemetery
April 5 – Maintenance and Repair
REQUESTED ANNOUNCEMENTS:
To the Congregation of Hancock CRC: World Renew extends our gratitude for your support and commitment to Christ’s call to mercy and justice. Your congregation’s gifts of $2,007.00 in 2025 are contributing to a larger impact—one that reached 720,633 participants in 1,449 communities across 30 countries worldwide in 2024-25. Your generosity is providing families with access to essentials like medical care, education, food, and crisis support, while also strengthening long-term efforts for communities to thrive. Thank you for helping families experience God’s love and find a hopeful future. Explore more stories at worldrenew.net.
If you are interested in learning more about what it means to make profession of faith or to become a member of the church, please talk to Pastor David or a Council member. We are gauging interest in having a new members class sometime this spring.
Schedule for March/April 2026
Tuesday, March 17, 7:00 P.M.:
Voting meeting at which all professing members will be able to vote on the three proposals brought forward by Council. Members who are not able to attend the meeting may vote by proxy (please consult your Policy and Procedure Manual for those details).
Thursday, March 19, 7:00 P.M.:
Puzzle Night at church. Come and enjoy puzzling for the evening! Bring a puzzle, if you desire. A small refreshment will be provided.
Friday, March 27, 7:00 P.M.:
Annual Church Auction. The annual church auction will take place on Friday, March 27 at 7:00 p.m., including a silent and live auction, an ice cream social and games for kids. Join us for a fun night of fellowship and raising money for our church as well as local and global organizations. Half of all the proceeds will go toward our Future Building Improvement Fund, with a quarter going toward Options for Women and a quarter going toward Operation Christmas Child. A sign-up sheet for ice cream and toppings has been placed in the narthex. We welcome volunteers to help with the event and contributions to both the silent and live auction. If you are able to help in any way, please contact Rita, Emilee or Jenny.
Thursday, April 2, 10:00 A.M.:
Ladies’ Bible Study will meet. We’ll be studying Lesson 2: The Shalom Promise: How Will Shalom Happen in a Broken World?
Friday, April 3, 7:00 P.M.:
Good Friday Service.
Sunday, April 5, 8:00 A.M.: Easter Sunrise Service. This will be followed by an Easter Brunch, served by the Fellowship Committee.
Monday, April 6, 7:00 P.M.:
Education Committee will meet.
Tuesday, April 14, 7:00 P.M.:
Council will meet. John Boon will serve refreshments.
HANCOCK CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH
March 8, 2026
MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE
10:00 A.M.
COME! LET US WORSHIP!
Call to Worship: Psalm 95:6-7
Silent Prayer & Response #625 “Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying”
*Pastor: People of God, from where does your help come?
*Cong: Our help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth.
*God’s Greeting
* Praise Time (All songs in P&W Book):
#87 “Worthy, You Are Worthy,” #216 “Above All,” #120 “Shine, Jesus, Shine”
LET US CONFESS OUR FAITH AND PRAY TO THE LORD
Confession of Sin: 1 John 1:5-9
Prayer of Confession
Assurance of Pardon: 1 John 2:1-2
Guide for Grateful Living: 1 John 2:3-6
Confession of Faith: Canons of Dort, MPOD 1, Art. 8 (PH, pg. 928)
Congregational Prayer
LET US PRESENT OUR OFFERINGS TO GOD
Offerings: 1. General Fund
Offertory: “Give Thanks to God, for Good Is He”
LET US OPEN OUR HEARTS TO THE WORD OF GOD
*Hymn of Preparation: #419 (st. 1, 3-5) “Spirit of God, Who Dwells Within My Heart”
Prayer of Illumination
Scripture Reading: Mark 14:1-11 (pg. 1011)
Sermon: A Contrast in Love
Prayer of Application
GO! LET US DEPART TO SERVE IN JOY AND PEACE!
*Hymn of Response: #557 “My Jesus, I Love Thee”
*Benediction
*Doxology: #638 “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”
AM Sermon Notes
Scripture: Mark 14:1-11
Sermon: A Contrast in Love
I. Hating Jesus
A. The Plotters
1. The chief priests and the scribes want to ____ and ___ Jesus.
a. This is not ____ : where else in Mark is it mentioned?
2. They should have loved Jesus. What did they love instead?
B. The Turncoat
1. Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ ______, offers to hand him over.
a. Why might he have done so?
C. The Lessons
1. Love for Jesus can be __________ out by other things.
a. Perhaps by _____, or _________, or ____________.
b. Perhaps the __________, like Demas (2 Tim. 4:10).
2. You can be ________ to Jesus and still hate him.
a. Rev. 2:4: you have abandoned the love you had at first
II. Loving Jesus
A. Extravagant
1. The ointment was very _______ and very ____________.
2. It could only be used __________.
B. Unconcerned About Others
1. How did others criticize her actions?
2. Why did she do it anyway?
C. A Result of Jesus’ Love
1. She loved Jesus because Jesus ________ loved her.
2. You will not always have me.
a. Jesus is not saying we shouldn’t care for the ______.
b. Jesus is talking about ____________—he is about to ___.
D. Adorned the Gospel
1. Wherever the gospel is preached, her love will be ________!
E. The Lessons
1. Is your love for Jesus extravagant?
2. Is your love for Jesus unconcerned about others?
3. 1 John 4:19: we love because he first loved us.
4. How can our love for Jesus adorn the gospel?
PM Sermon Notes
Scripture: Luke 1:26-38
Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 14
Sermon: The Virgin Birth
I. It Is True
A. Mary was a ___________.
1. How does Luke remind us of this fact repeatedly?
2. Isaiah 7:14: the virgin shall conceive and bear a son.
a. How do some critics attack this doctrine from here?
b. How does Kevin De Young respond?
B. Mary was overshadowed by the ________ ___________.
1. This is not going to be a ____________ birth.
2. How do some critics attack this doctrine at this point?
3. How does Herman Bavinck respond?
C. Jesus was __________.
1. He has 2 natures: a __________ and a _________ nature.
2. Can we fully comprehend this? Can we believe it?
II. It Benefits You
A. Qualifies Jesus to be our __________________.
1. A mediator is a ___-________________.
2. Why do you need a mediator?
3. How is Jesus uniquely qualified to fill that role?
B. Allows Jesus to take away our __________.
1. We are _____________.
a. From our very _________________ (Psalm 51:5).
2. Jesus was __________________ from conception on.
3. What happened at the Great Exchange?
a. Why is this dependent upon the virgin birth?
HANCOCK CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH
March 8, 2026 EVENING WORSHIP SERVICE
6:00 P.M.
Prayer of Invocation
Song Service
Time of Sharing Prayer Requests
Congregational Prayer
*Hymn: #345 “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
Prayer of Illumination Scripture: Luke 1:26-38 (pg. 1016)
Heidelberg Catechism: Lord’s Day 14 (PH, pg. 875)
Sermon: The Virgin Birth
Prayer of Application
*Hymn of Response: #340 “O Come, All Ye Faithful”
*Benediction
*Doxology: #620 (st. 3) “By the Sea of Crystal”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Time of Discussion
What does this Lord’s Day teach us about God and about ourselves?
How does this truth challenge or encourage us in our lives today?
If you were to explain tonight’s teaching in one sentence to somebody else, what would you say?
HANCOCK CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH
March 12, 2025
7:00 P.M.
ANNUAL DAY OF PRAYER SERVICE
Call to Worship: Psalm 66:16-20
Silent Prayer & Response #625 “Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying”
*Pastor: People of God, from where does your help come?
*Cong: Our help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth.
*God’s Greeting
*Hymns:
#247 “All Glory Be to God on High” #579 “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”
Prayer for Home, Education, and Community: John Ver Steeg
Hymn #624 “Hear Our Prayer, O Lord”
Prayer for Work, Economy, and Government: Randy Luthi
Hymn #624 “Hear Our Prayer, O Lord”
Prayer for Church, Missions, and Kingdom: John Boon
Hymn #624 “Hear Our Prayer, O Lord”
Prayer of Illumination
Scripture Reading: Nehemiah 1:1-11
Sermon: Praying with Nehemiah Prayer
*Hymn of Response: #66 (st. 1,2,5,6) “Come, Everyone, and Join with Us”
*Benediction
*Doxology: #638 “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow”
Sermon Notes
Scripture: Nehemiah 1:1-11
Sermon: Praying with Nehemiah
Introduction: What is the ACTS acronym?
I. Adoration
A. Why does Nehemiah begin in this way?
1. Because of who Nehemiah is ______________.
2. Because it reminds___________ of who God is.
a. How does the context tell us Nehemiah needs this?
B. When we begin our prayers, how do we start?
II. Confession
A. Why does Nehemiah include this part?
1. He, his family, and his nation, had ________ against God.
a. That was the cause of the __________ (2 Kings 17).
2. God doesn’t hear the prayers of _________________ sinners.
a. Isaiah 1:15: I will not listen your hands are full of blood.
b. Psalm 32:5: I acknowledged my sin to you.
B. When we pray, do we include confession?
1. Our sins have already been ______________ by Jesus.
2. How do we do it corporately? Do you do it personally?
III. Reminding God of His Promises
A. Why does Nehemiah include this part?
1. Had God forgotten his promises?
2. He is reminding God of the ______ for his upcoming request.
a. When had God promised a return to the Promised Land?
B. When we pray, do we remind God of his promises?
1. Do you know the promises of God in his Word?
2. Do you include them in your prayers?
IV. Supplication
A. What is Nehemiah asking for?
1. This is the _________________ of his prayer.
B. When we pray, can we bring our requests to God?
1. Phil. 4:6: let your requests be made known to God.
1. Our prayer life should be _________________.
March 8, 2026
Welcome to worship at Hancock CRC! Today is a day in which we worship the Lord, hear from His Word, and fellowship with His saints. After the service, please join us downstairs for refreshments and fellowship!
GREETING: Glenna Ver Steeg
Next Sunday: Roger and Connie Evink
REFRESHMENTS: John and Glenna Ver Steeg
Next Sunday: Roger and Connie Evink
USHER: Vern Christie
Next Sunday: Cory Evink
NURSERY: Trinity Meinders
Next Sunday: Ashley Luthi
LIBRARIAN for March: Rita Bolluyt
CHURCH CALENDAR:
TODAY, Sunday, March 8, 10:00 A.M.:
Pastor David will lead the Morning Worship Service. The Praise Team will lead Praise Time. The special offering will be for Denominational Ministry Shares. After the service, please join us in the church basement for cake, coffee, and a meat and cheese tray in celebration of John and Glenna Ver Steeg's 50th wedding anniversary!
11:00 A.M.: Sunday School (Preschool-1st Grade 2nd-5th Grade)
11:15 A.M.: Catechism (6th-8th Grade)
11:30 A.M.:
Informational Meeting in the sanctuary, at which Council will present three proposals to be voted on at our Voting Meeting on March 17. These proposals are outlined in the letter which has been distributed in your mailboxes.
6:00 P.M.:
Pastor David will lead the Evening Worship Service.
Monday, March 9, 7:00 P.M.:
Worship Committee will meet.
Tuesday, March 10, 7:00 P.M.:
Council will meet. Randy Evink will serve refreshments.
Wednesday, March 11, 6:30-7:00 A.M.:
Weekly prayer meeting at church. All are welcome to join us in prayer!
3:15-5:00 P.M.:
Kid Connection will meet. Our lesson will be “Worshipping Correctly” from Exodus 35-40 and Numbers 10. Rachel Dick has signed up for snack.
7:00 P.M.:
Prayer Day Service.
Next Sunday, March 15, 10:00 A.M.:
Pastor David will lead the Morning Worship Service. The special offering will be for the Future Building Improvement Fund.
11:00 A.M.: Sunday School (Preschool-1st Grade 2nd-5th Grade)
11:15 A.M.: Catechism (6th-8th Grade 9th-12th Grade)
12:00 P.M.: Potluck of hot dishes and salads. Circle 1 is asked to serve.
6:00 P.M.:
Pastor David will lead the Evening Worship Service.
OUR CHURCH FAMILY:
Terry Lebens spent some more time in the hospital this week, but is now back home. Please pray for Terry’s recovery.
Please continue to pray for Dak Foss, Dave Evink, Merlin Koerner, Jim Lonneman, Gary Wubben, the elderly, those with ongoing health issues, and those grieving the loss of loved ones.
BIRTHDAYS:
March 10: Taysom Foss
Upcoming Special Offerings:
March 22 – Benevolent Fund
March 29 – Lakeside Cemetery
April 5 – Maintenance and Repair
REQUESTED ANNOUNCEMENTS:
To the Congregation of Hancock CRC: World Renew extends our gratitude for your support and commitment to Christ’s call to mercy and justice. Your congregation’s gifts of $2,007.00 in 2025 are contributing to a larger impact—one that reached 720,633 participants in 1,449 communities across 30 countries worldwide in 2024-25. Your generosity is providing families with access to essentials like medical care, education, food, and crisis support, while also strengthening long-term efforts for communities to thrive. Thank you for helping families experience God’s love and find a hopeful future. Explore more stories at worldrenew.net.
If you are interested in learning more about what it means to make profession of faith or to become a member of the church, please talk to Pastor David or a Council member. We are gauging interest in having a new members class sometime this spring.
Schedule for March/April 2026
Tuesday, March 17, 7:00 P.M.:
Voting meeting at which all professing members will be able to vote on the three proposals brought forward by Council. Members who are not able to attend the meeting may vote by proxy (please consult your Policy and Procedure Manual for those details).
Thursday, March 19, 7:00 P.M.:
Puzzle Night at church. Come and enjoy puzzling for the evening! Bring a puzzle, if you desire. A small refreshment will be provided.
Friday, March 27, 7:00 P.M.:
Annual Church Auction. The annual church auction will take place on Friday, March 27 at 7:00 p.m., including a silent and live auction, an ice cream social and games for kids. Join us for a fun night of fellowship and raising money for our church as well as local and global organizations. Half of all the proceeds will go toward our Future Building Improvement Fund, with a quarter going toward Options for Women and a quarter going toward Operation Christmas Child. A sign-up sheet for ice cream and toppings has been placed in the narthex. We welcome volunteers to help with the event and contributions to both the silent and live auction. If you are able to help in any way, please contact Rita, Emilee or Jenny.
Thursday, April 2, 10:00 A.M.:
Ladies’ Bible Study will meet. We’ll be studying Lesson 2: The Shalom Promise: How Will Shalom Happen in a Broken World?
Friday, April 3, 7:00 P.M.:
Good Friday Service.
Sunday, April 5, 8:00 A.M.: Easter Sunrise Service. This will be followed by an Easter Brunch, served by the Fellowship Committee.
Monday, April 6, 7:00 P.M.:
Education Committee will meet.
Tuesday, April 14, 7:00 P.M.:
Council will meet. John Boon will serve refreshments.
HANCOCK CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH
March 8, 2026
MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE
10:00 A.M.
COME! LET US WORSHIP!
Call to Worship: Psalm 95:6-7
Silent Prayer & Response #625 “Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying”
*Pastor: People of God, from where does your help come?
*Cong: Our help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth.
*God’s Greeting
* Praise Time (All songs in P&W Book):
#87 “Worthy, You Are Worthy,” #216 “Above All,” #120 “Shine, Jesus, Shine”
LET US CONFESS OUR FAITH AND PRAY TO THE LORD
Confession of Sin: 1 John 1:5-9
Prayer of Confession
Assurance of Pardon: 1 John 2:1-2
Guide for Grateful Living: 1 John 2:3-6
Confession of Faith: Canons of Dort, MPOD 1, Art. 8 (PH, pg. 928)
Congregational Prayer
LET US PRESENT OUR OFFERINGS TO GOD
Offerings: 1. General Fund
Offertory: “Give Thanks to God, for Good Is He”
LET US OPEN OUR HEARTS TO THE WORD OF GOD
*Hymn of Preparation: #419 (st. 1, 3-5) “Spirit of God, Who Dwells Within My Heart”
Prayer of Illumination
Scripture Reading: Mark 14:1-11 (pg. 1011)
Sermon: A Contrast in Love
Prayer of Application
GO! LET US DEPART TO SERVE IN JOY AND PEACE!
*Hymn of Response: #557 “My Jesus, I Love Thee”
*Benediction
*Doxology: #638 “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”
AM Sermon Notes
Scripture: Mark 14:1-11
Sermon: A Contrast in Love
I. Hating Jesus
A. The Plotters
1. The chief priests and the scribes want to ____ and ___ Jesus.
a. This is not ____ : where else in Mark is it mentioned?
2. They should have loved Jesus. What did they love instead?
B. The Turncoat
1. Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ ______, offers to hand him over.
a. Why might he have done so?
C. The Lessons
1. Love for Jesus can be __________ out by other things.
a. Perhaps by _____, or _________, or ____________.
b. Perhaps the __________, like Demas (2 Tim. 4:10).
2. You can be ________ to Jesus and still hate him.
a. Rev. 2:4: you have abandoned the love you had at first
II. Loving Jesus
A. Extravagant
1. The ointment was very _______ and very ____________.
2. It could only be used __________.
B. Unconcerned About Others
1. How did others criticize her actions?
2. Why did she do it anyway?
C. A Result of Jesus’ Love
1. She loved Jesus because Jesus ________ loved her.
2. You will not always have me.
a. Jesus is not saying we shouldn’t care for the ______.
b. Jesus is talking about ____________—he is about to ___.
D. Adorned the Gospel
1. Wherever the gospel is preached, her love will be ________!
E. The Lessons
1. Is your love for Jesus extravagant?
2. Is your love for Jesus unconcerned about others?
3. 1 John 4:19: we love because he first loved us.
4. How can our love for Jesus adorn the gospel?
PM Sermon Notes
Scripture: Luke 1:26-38
Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 14
Sermon: The Virgin Birth
I. It Is True
A. Mary was a ___________.
1. How does Luke remind us of this fact repeatedly?
2. Isaiah 7:14: the virgin shall conceive and bear a son.
a. How do some critics attack this doctrine from here?
b. How does Kevin De Young respond?
B. Mary was overshadowed by the ________ ___________.
1. This is not going to be a ____________ birth.
2. How do some critics attack this doctrine at this point?
3. How does Herman Bavinck respond?
C. Jesus was __________.
1. He has 2 natures: a __________ and a _________ nature.
2. Can we fully comprehend this? Can we believe it?
II. It Benefits You
A. Qualifies Jesus to be our __________________.
1. A mediator is a ___-________________.
2. Why do you need a mediator?
3. How is Jesus uniquely qualified to fill that role?
B. Allows Jesus to take away our __________.
1. We are _____________.
a. From our very _________________ (Psalm 51:5).
2. Jesus was __________________ from conception on.
3. What happened at the Great Exchange?
a. Why is this dependent upon the virgin birth?
HANCOCK CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH
March 8, 2026 EVENING WORSHIP SERVICE
6:00 P.M.
Prayer of Invocation
Song Service
Time of Sharing Prayer Requests
Congregational Prayer
*Hymn: #345 “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
Prayer of Illumination Scripture: Luke 1:26-38 (pg. 1016)
Heidelberg Catechism: Lord’s Day 14 (PH, pg. 875)
Sermon: The Virgin Birth
Prayer of Application
*Hymn of Response: #340 “O Come, All Ye Faithful”
*Benediction
*Doxology: #620 (st. 3) “By the Sea of Crystal”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Time of Discussion
What does this Lord’s Day teach us about God and about ourselves?
How does this truth challenge or encourage us in our lives today?
If you were to explain tonight’s teaching in one sentence to somebody else, what would you say?
HANCOCK CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH
March 12, 2025
7:00 P.M.
ANNUAL DAY OF PRAYER SERVICE
Call to Worship: Psalm 66:16-20
Silent Prayer & Response #625 “Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying”
*Pastor: People of God, from where does your help come?
*Cong: Our help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth.
*God’s Greeting
*Hymns:
#247 “All Glory Be to God on High” #579 “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”
Prayer for Home, Education, and Community: John Ver Steeg
Hymn #624 “Hear Our Prayer, O Lord”
Prayer for Work, Economy, and Government: Randy Luthi
Hymn #624 “Hear Our Prayer, O Lord”
Prayer for Church, Missions, and Kingdom: John Boon
Hymn #624 “Hear Our Prayer, O Lord”
Prayer of Illumination
Scripture Reading: Nehemiah 1:1-11
Sermon: Praying with Nehemiah Prayer
*Hymn of Response: #66 (st. 1,2,5,6) “Come, Everyone, and Join with Us”
*Benediction
*Doxology: #638 “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow”
Sermon Notes
Scripture: Nehemiah 1:1-11
Sermon: Praying with Nehemiah
Introduction: What is the ACTS acronym?
I. Adoration
A. Why does Nehemiah begin in this way?
1. Because of who Nehemiah is ______________.
2. Because it reminds___________ of who God is.
a. How does the context tell us Nehemiah needs this?
B. When we begin our prayers, how do we start?
II. Confession
A. Why does Nehemiah include this part?
1. He, his family, and his nation, had ________ against God.
a. That was the cause of the __________ (2 Kings 17).
2. God doesn’t hear the prayers of _________________ sinners.
a. Isaiah 1:15: I will not listen your hands are full of blood.
b. Psalm 32:5: I acknowledged my sin to you.
B. When we pray, do we include confession?
1. Our sins have already been ______________ by Jesus.
2. How do we do it corporately? Do you do it personally?
III. Reminding God of His Promises
A. Why does Nehemiah include this part?
1. Had God forgotten his promises?
2. He is reminding God of the ______ for his upcoming request.
a. When had God promised a return to the Promised Land?
B. When we pray, do we remind God of his promises?
1. Do you know the promises of God in his Word?
2. Do you include them in your prayers?
IV. Supplication
A. What is Nehemiah asking for?
1. This is the _________________ of his prayer.
B. When we pray, can we bring our requests to God?
1. Phil. 4:6: let your requests be made known to God.
1. Our prayer life should be _________________.
