Standing Tall and Strong Through Prayer, Pt. 4

We are at our tallest and strongest spiritually, most impactful, and confident when we live in prayer and on our knees.

Standing Tall & Strong Through Prayer, Pt. 4

"'O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name; and let Your servant prosper this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cupbearer.'"

(Nehemiah 1:11)

The story of Nehemiah is one of my favorites in the Word of God. I have preached through the book on two occasions and hope to do so again. I currently feel that God has placed an assignment upon me that is way beyond my abilities. I know there are thousands more qualified and gifted to do what we will attempt to do in our local church. After much prayer, fasting, and seeking the counsel of godly men and women, I know what I am supposed to do. I have shared with the church what the vision is and how I feel very incapable of doing this. But to call Jesus "Lord" and then tell Him "no" is a contradiction of the highest order. The opposition at times has been intense and has come from those who are in a position to help us the most. But we will continue to pray, step out in faith, do the work, and trust God with the results.

Pastor Charles Stanley points out that Nehemiah was a cupbearer with no real experience or abilities to lead, defend, and rebuild. How could one man, let alone this man, lead the people to rebuild the decimated wall in only 52 days? One man decided to live on his knees, and he became spiritually tall and strong. God empowered him with the skills and abilities to bring people together, correct what needed correcting, and challenge them. They could have revolted, but they did not. There was something about him, and there could be something about you if you allowed God to use you and let Him work through you. We underestimate the power of God in us and through us. Nehemiah is an example of what could happen. The same God of the Bible is real and alive and can do the miraculous in you and me if we too are people of prayer and obedience.

Whenever God calls a man or woman to do great things for Him, He places a burden on them that always involves prayer. When we pray, we forget the past and focus on what God can do through us from this point on. We are at our tallest and strongest spiritually, most impactful, and confident when we live in prayer and on our knees. God wants us to trust in Him. When we pray, we are to pray like Nehemiah, Moses, and Daniel. We are to acknowledge God as the God of heaven, great and holy.

Has God placed an assignment on your heart that has caused you to be so burdened that you are earnestly praying and seeking Him? What an honor! Can I encourage you to trust God, step out in faith, keep praying, and go for it? You could decline the invitation from God to join Him on an awesome adventure, but who wants to live a life of regrets?! Go for it. If the Lord is with you, you cannot fail.