“Then the king said to me, “What do you request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven” (Nehemiah 2:4).
Nehemiah was the king’s cupbearer. All servants of the king were required not only to be good-looking but also to appear cheerful at all times. Up to this point, Nehemiah had been able to do so. But when he heard about the escaped Jews being in great distress and the city of Jerusalem in ruins, he wept and mourned for many days. (Read Nehemiah 1:3-4.)
The next time Nehemiah appeared before the king, he could not hide his sorrow. He must have been a favored and loyal servant because the king noticed and asked him what was wrong. Nehemiah told him it was because the city of his fathers lay in waste and was burned. The king then asked him what he wanted. His question probably took Nehemiah aback because this was unusual behavior for most kings. They held the power of life and death over their subjects, and for a king to be mindful of a mere cupbearer was extraordinary.
Nehemiah had very little time to answer because when the king asks you a question, you answer, and you answer quickly. Nehemiah prayed in those few seconds between the king’s question and when he was expected to respond. God gave him the words to say and the boldness to speak it. When Nehemiah asked the king if he could rebuild the city, he granted him permission and much more!
Life happens fast. If all you have time for in a situation is a quick prayer, do it. God hears all prayers, yet because Nehemiah spent much time in prayer before this event, he knew to turn to God immediately for an answer when he needed it. They had a relationship. Nehemiah knew God’s heart, and God knew his.
If you don’t have a relationship with God or have allowed the relationship to decline, one sincere prayer can establish and restore that connection to your Creator. Do it today!
Dear Lord of Heaven, forgive me if I have caused our relationship to flounder. You are always faithful to those who love You and keep Your commandments. Like the kings of the Old Testament, we had no right to come before You and ask for anything. But You are just and merciful and have called us Your children, and the King’s children are always welcome in the throne room. More than anything, I ask for a servant’s heart that constantly seeks to serve You and advance Your kingdom.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
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