S) " 4 Then the king said to me, 'What would you request?' So I prayed to the God of heaven. 5 I said to the king, 'If it please the king, and if your servant has found favor before you, send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' tombs, that I may rebuild it.'"
Nehemiah 2:4-5 (NASB)
O) Nehemiah was a cupbearer to Artaxerxes, when he heard distressing news about Jerusalem. His response was fasting, confession, and supplication on behalf of his people. He then asked for favor with his king (see Ch.1). So, when he appeared before the king again, Artaxerxes noticed his downcast visage (because he was not normally sad, per v.1). Even though Nehemiah had prayed and fasted, seeking the LORD for favor with the king, he was still afraid when his opportunity came (see v.3). It's noteworthy that he had already fasted and prayed, but still in v.4 it says that Nehemiah prayed between being asked his request, and his answer to the king.
A) The story of Nehemiah, particularly before he actually departs Susa, is one of my favorite. There are so many good lessons about prayer within these first two chapters. In this particular, short passage, there is an excellent lesson: prayers can be very brief. So often, when I think about a prayer life, I think about someone who spends hours upon hours every morning, before dawn, praying and praying before any other part of their day starts. To be clear, I admire that type of devotion. I lack that particular discipline. I want to work toward that kind of disciplined, regular prayer life. Sometimes, though, that can feel daunting and I can become very discouraged about my lack of stamina, when it comes to prayer times. This is why I love the story of Nehemiah. In chapter one, he shows that kind of prayer. In chapter two, I see a discipline of prayer that is very encouraging to me. This is the constant prayer life. We don't know the details of what Nehemiah prayed in his short pause before answering the king, but his response was still prayer. He was afraid, time was short, but he still prayed before proceeding. I imagine his short prayer was a reflection of his longer supplication and confession. He probably prayed something like, "Okay God, please let it happen like I said before." But the point is that he still prayed it. This is the kind of open line of prayer that I want to keep with God.
P) Father, You are great in lovingkindness, compassion, and grace. I confess that I do not pray as I should. You deserve all of my devotion, and I give You so little. Even still, You are gracious to me. Discipline me, to pray as I should, with the devotion and perseverance I should have. As I continue toward that goal, help me to also pray to You throughout the day. Even if it is only short prayers, in between stressful times or amid temptation. Help me to be focused so I may seek You first throughout the day. Help me to keep my mind on Your salvation, holiness, and righteousness; not only in spite of the circumstances around me, but because of them. Let Your will be done, and let me speak with You as often as You want to hear from me. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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