Standing Tall and Strong Through Prayer, Pt. 3

The king asked Nehemiah, "What do you request?" Nehemiah knew that this was a critical moment, so notice what he did: he prayed!

Standing Tall & Strong Through Prayer, Pt. 3

"Then the king said to me, 'What do you request?' So I prayed to the God of heaven."

(Nehemiah 2:4)

This week in our devotions, we are examining the life and ministry of Nehemiah, the man God chose to leave the court of the King of Persia and return home to rebuild the city wall around Jerusalem. After an extended time of prayer, Nehemiah approached the king. He entered into his royal court but committed what could have been a lethal mistake: he went before the king sad, with a downcast countenance. He knew what the consequences could be, but Nehemiah could not help it. He was deeply burdened for his people back home in Judah.

The king asked him, "What do you request?" Nehemiah knew that this was a critical moment, so notice what he did: he prayed! Yes, right there in the presence of the most powerful man on earth, Nehemiah prayed to Almighty God. I do not think he prayed long. Perhaps it was a simple, short prayer that went something like this: "God please help me; give me strength." He prayed to God before he responded, and that is a great example for us today. Before we speak to anyone, let us first talk to God.

Billy Graham was late for a meeting with one of America's presidents. The president told the evangelist he was not used to waiting on people who had an appointment with him. Graham responded that it was important that he spoke with God before he spoke with him, and the reason he was late was because he had been praying.

Nehemiah told the king the situation: "And I said to the king, 'If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' tombs, that I may rebuild it.'" (Nehemiah 2:5) While in Jerusalem, Nehemiah prayed and talked to the people. He told them, "Let us rise and build." He was greatly opposed by Israel's enemies but that did not deter the cupbearer turned builder. He pressed ahead with the vision God had given him. Nehemiah's enemies persecuted him and those who followed him. They taunted them by saying even a fox would cause their feeble wall to collapse. But Nehemiah kept praying and kept working.

How did it turn out for Nehemiah? In 52 days, less than two months, they completed the wall! Now, that was a miracle! Despite all the opposition and persecution, not to mention the sheer magnitude of the job, Nehemiah and his coworkers finished the wall. What a blessing to know that the same God he had we have today. Nehemiah was not a construction worker or an engineer but a cup bearer. He had, as far as we know, no formal training in construction, leadership, or how to gather an army to fight. But God was not concerned with Nehemiah's abilities, only his availability.

The principles in the Scriptures are applicable to you and me today. Perhaps God has a large assignment for you to complete. Your first reaction may be that you are not qualified, and therefore, you are unable to even attempt such a task. But remember Nehemiah. He was not educated or qualified to do what God asked him to do. But he prayed, stepped out in faith, and well, the rest is wonderful biblical history. God does not call the qualified; rather, He qualifies the called.