secured the favour of a king

What role does prayer play when you face stressful situations? How do you balance the tension between crying out to God and taking action yourself?

Nehemiah was distraught to hear about the state of his home. He needed to do something. He decided he must admit his distress to the king and ask for permission to go and help rebuild Jerusalem. But sadness in the king’s presence was seen as bad luck and therefore forbidden; so this could land him in serious trouble.

Nehemiah couldn’t do anything to secure the king’s favour. He was powerless to help his fellow Israelites. He had no way of changing his circumstances. So before he took action, he spent many days fasting and praying, seeking God’s leading and entrusting these things to the One who does have real power. In fact, several months passed between when he heard about the desperate state of Jerusalem and when he approached the king. There’s no rulebook for how long we should pray before we act. But action is best taken when it’s surrounded by prayerful dependence on the Lord.

Even after all that prayer, Nehemiah was still fearful as he approached the king. Yet, as he opened his mouth he knew the situation, and the outcome, belonged to the Lord. It was action bathed in prayer.

PRAYER: Job 40:3-4

ANSWER: Job 40:5-41:34