Last week, in Serious Preparation, Part 1, we saw that when our Biblical forefathers and heroes, specifically Nehemiah, made a request to God, their prayers looked a bit different than most of ours. Maybe if our prayers were less about what we want and more on who God is, maybe if we spent more time in prayer reminding ourselves of who God is, perhaps we would feel more confident in what God has asked us to do! But are such prayers even effective?
Nehemiah 2 tells us the results of Nehemiah’s special prayer of preparation. Let’s take a look…
After Nehemiah’s extensive prayer of preparation, recorded in Nehemiah 1, Nehemiah, who serves as the cupbearer to the Persian emperor, Artaxerxes, returns to work. He is still very upset by the reported state of Jerusalem, and this shows in his face. Even Artaxerxes notices a difference in him: “I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before, so the king asked me, ‘Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.'” (Nehemiah 2:1b-2 NIV)
What amazes me here is that Nehemiah didn’t even have to bring up the topic himself! Rather, God prepared the way so that the king questioned … him! It was the perfect opening for the conversation, and Nehemiah grabbed the occasion: “…I said to the king, ‘May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?’” (Nehemiah 2:3 NIV)
Was Nehemiah afraid?
Yes! Vs. 2b says, “I was very much afraid…”. Yet Nehemiah’s excellent preparation for this moment had bolstered his confidence enough in God that his fear did not hold him back!
It is also obvious that Nehemiah’s excellent preparation served to soften the emperor’s heart, for Artaxerxes responds favorably: “What is it you want?” (vs. 4, NIV).
And with that simple question, God has opened the door wide for Nehemiah to present the king with his request.
Nehemiah doesn’t just jump in, however. First he, “…prayed to the God of heaven…” (vs. 4b NIV), and only then did he answer the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.” (Vs. 5 NIV)
Basically, what God has placed upon Nehemiah’s heart to ask was that he be given a leave of absence from his job in order to do something that could have been considered by Artaxerxes as a personal vendetta. Yes, I might have abandoned my quest at this stage. I might have apologized to the king for my sadness and promise that I wouldn’t ever appear in his presence that way again. However, because of Nehemiah’s excellent preparation, God gives him the courage to put forward this request, despite the fact that it might be considered a “personal vendetta”!
How is it received?
Again, as a result that excellent preparation that Nehemiah partook of, God further softens Artaxerxes’ heart: “Then the king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked me, ‘How long will your journey take, and when will you get back?’” (Vs. 6a NIV). And as you continue to read through the story, you learn that not only does Artaxerxes give Nehemiah the time off work, but he also provides Nehemiah with letters to the governors of the land he will travel through (See Vs. 7), a letter to the keeper of the royal park so that he receives timber to makes the beams for the gates and the city wall (See Vs. 8), and as if that wasn’t enough, the king also sent army officers and a calvary to travel with Nehemiah for protection (See Vs. 9)!
That’s the result of “serious preparation”, friends! That’s the result of fasting and prayer, with the focus of prayer being more on reminding ourselves of who God is! You see, this type of prayer bolsters our faith, for: “faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1 NIV), and Jesus promises us that, “Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive” (Matthew 21:22 NRSVUE)!
Do you have a difficult task in front of you? Why not try some “serious preparation”! Bolster your faith by spending time reminding yourself of Who God is and how much He loves you, then step forward and ask in faith! You’ll be amazed at how God opens the doors before you!
In His love,
Lyn
Lynona Gordon Chaffart
Author, Moderator, Acting Director, Answers2Prayer Ministries
(To access the entire “Serious Preparation” mini-series, please click here!)