Noon Prayer 12.20.2023

Valley Gate

The gates in the book of Nehemiah represent different areas of spiritual growth in our journey with the Lord.

One area of growth that the Valley Gate represents is standing firm in our faith through the trials we encounter in life.

Think of the valley type experiences (sickness, the loss of a loved one, betrayal, rejection, financial burdens, difficult decisions, disappointments…) that are used by the Lord for our personal growth. Romans 8:28 reminds us that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose. Many people leave discouraged, tired, and offended when they get to the Valley Gate. He wants to change us in the middle of our valley, He wants to give us beauty for ashes.

This gate is also a reminder of the importance of humbling ourselves. Jesus teaches us that we are blessed if we realize our absolute need for God.
Matthew 5: 3 (HCSB) “Blessed are the poor in spirit, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs.”

Valley of Trials and Testing:

James 1:2-4 (MSG) 2 Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. 3 You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. 4 So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work, so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

• Pray that we will freely and quickly forgive those who offend and hurt us.
• Pray that we will pause in the valleys of our lives to seek the Lord and allow Him to direct our path.
• Pray for strength and discipline to persevere and not step out of anything prematurely.  James 1:12 (HCSB) 12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
• Pray for those who are in the valley of despair, discouragement, or disappointment. Romans 5:3-6 (HCSB) And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, 4 endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. 5 This hope does not disappoint, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
• Pray that in these valleys, we will allow our afflictions to produce endurance, which produces proven character, which produces hope. And this hope will not disappoint us.
• Pray for times of refreshing to come.

Valley of Isolation or Loneliness:

1 Peter 5:5-7 (HCSB)

5 Likewise, you younger men, be subject to the elders. And all of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, because He cares about you.

• Pray that pride will not cause anyone to be in isolation if they are currently walking in a valley.
• Pray that we would ask for help and allow others to carry our burdens with us.
• Pray for our life groups and other groups, that many will join and find family and community.

Valley of Decisions:

Proverbs 4:5 (HCSB)

5 Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them.

Psalms 25:4 (HCSB)

4 Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths.

• Pray for those walking through a valley of decisions. Pray that they will hear a word from the Lord for direction.
• As you seek direction for difficult decisions, “6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (HCSB)

James 1:13 (HCSB) No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God.” For God is not tempted by evil, and He Himself doesn’t tempt anyone.

Psalms 22:1 (HCSB) My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? [Why are You] so far from my deliverance and from my words of groaning?

• As we face trials, it can cause us to harden our hearts towards God. Pray that God exposes where we have any offense towards Him, for the trials we face, and any areas where we may be accusing Him.
• Just like David in many of the Psalms, we can share our true emotions with the Lord. Holding back our feelings from Him can cause us to withdraw from Him instead of drawing near to Him. Lord, help us to be truly intimate with you, to allow our hearts to be completely exposed in your presence. We resist all fear, guilt, and shame that would try to keep us from this kind of deep intimacy with You.
• Pray that we will once again feel His love, acceptance, belonging, and hear His voice.