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The Book of Nehemiah is the only book in the Bible that’s a journal. Nehemiah was chosen by God to help rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. In his journal, Nehemiah records one of the most amazing prayers in Scripture.
And this prayer ends with an unusual request. The prayer. . .
Please grant me success today by making the king favorable to me. Put it into his heart to be kind to me (Nehemiah 1:11, NLT).
At first, the request seems odd. Why devote an entire chapter in Nehemiah’s journal (and a chapter in the Bible) to a prayer that ends with the request to find favor with one man?
The answer: The walls of God’s holy city needed repair, and this task required the favor of the King of Persia. Nehemiah wanted to ask the king for permission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
It was a dangerous request, as in those days, if you made an unannounced request to the king, there were only two answers — “yes” or “death.” Have we ever needed to make a desperate request to God? Have we ever felt that we would die without an answer?
Nehemiah teaches us how to ask.
First: Have the right motive.
When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven (1:4).
Nehemiah’s heart reflected God’s will. When our ambitions are God’s ambitions, our access to His throne opens wide.
Second: Understand the power of God.
O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands (1:5).
We can compromise our prayers with fears and doubts. Many times, saints mitigate their requests with thoughts of “if it’s God’s will,” “if there’s enough money,” or “what if God doesn’t answer?”
Nehemiah blows through his doubts with, “God, you are great and awesome!”
Third: Confession of Sin
Look down and see me praying night and day for your people Israel. I confess that we have sinned against you. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned! (1:6)
Sin will not hinder God’s answers, but our lack of repentance will.
Yes, the nation of Israel broke God’s commands, but Nehemiah didn’t accuse others for their sins but also focused on his personal sin. Imagine the power of prayers that realize the rebellion in the USA against God’s ways (or the country you live in) combined with our humble admission of complacency.
Fourth: A specific request
Please grant me success today by making the king favorable to me. Put it into his heart to be kind to me (1:11).
God answers specific requests. Nehemiah did find favor with the king.
Let’s consider the last words of this chapter. Not only does Nehemiah’s prayer conclude with the unusual “let me find favor with one man” request, but chapter one also ends with a seemingly odd statement. . .
In those days I was the king’s cup-bearer (1:11b).
Nehemiah could ask the king because he saw him daily. This final verse is reflective of Mordecai telling Esther, “You were born for such a time as this,” or Isaiah shouting, “Here I am, God, send me.”
All of us will have our cup-bearer moments. Now we know how to pray!