Nehemiah's Prayers

Nehemiah 1:1-2:6

In today’s Scripture we take a look at the man Nehemiah, and the great role that prayer took in his life.  Some people, unfortunately including some Christians, only come to God in prayer when there is some desperate need.  Their prayer relationship with Him is very weak and shallow.  Then there are others, like Nehemiah here, who have a very strong relationship with their Savior, which is strengthened through prayer and faith.  Let’s take a look at one example in the Book of Nehemiah, where he trusted in the Lord for help in prayer.

Nehemiah was the personal cup bearer to the Persian emperor Artaxerxes I, who ruled from 464-424 BC.  The cup bearer's job was to choose and taste the food and wine of the emperor to ensure that it was not poisoned.  He would also frequently act as a personal butler to him, as well.  Thus Nehemiah had direct access to the emperor, and was an important and influential person.

Our account takes place in approximately the year 445 BC.  Many of the Jewish people had already started returning to the Promised Land from their years of captivity, and work had already begun on the rebuilding of the Temple.  Nehemiah’s brother returned from a visit to Jerusalem, and brought him some distressing news about the condition of the city.  The city was still in rather bad condition after being destroyed many decades earlier, and the walls were still torn down (vs. 3).  In Nehemiah’s day walls around a city were essential.  They offered safety from raids, and symbolized strength and peace.  Without walls there could possibly be another destruction of the new Temple.

Naturally this depressed Nehemiah.  Nehemiah didn’t just wallow in his depression, rather he came before God in prayer and fasting (vs. 4).  He poured his heart out to God in prayer, and looked for ways God could use him to help the situation.  Fasting helps us to focus our prayers, and focus our mind on God, and off of ourselves and worldly matters.  It taps into the limitless power and wonderful plan of God.  It is not an attempt to twist God’s arm into doing something He doesn’t want to, with a “see what I’m doing, God” attitude.  Nehemiah’s prayer contained praise, thanksgiving, repentance, specific requests, and commitment to the Lord (vs. 5-11).  While during his prayer, Nehemiah felt led to travel to Jerusalem and help in the rebuilding of the city, particularly the walls and gates.

Nehemiah had another reason to pray.  Not only would he need to obtain the emperor’s permission to take a leave of absence from his position as cup bearer, but his depression and sad demeanor was very risky.  Being sad in the emperor’s presence was a serious offense in ancient Persia (vs 2:2).  The emperor could execute anyone who was sad in his presence if he so chose to.  And to ask to take a leave from work might also greatly anger him.  However, Nehemiah did not allow his fears to stop him from doing what God had called him to do.  We must not allow our fears to become more powerful than God in our life.  God is greater than all of our fears.  Nehemiah knew this, and when asked by the emperor why he is sad, he said a prayer under his breath, bringing all of this quickly to God, trusting in Him to handle it all, and move upon the most powerful man in the world at that time to look with favor upon him and his requests.

Nehemiah prayed at all times throughout his life, even when he was talking to other people (2:4).  He knew God is always in charge, and was always present with him.  Nehemiah had established an intimate relationship with God, and he could confidently pray throughout his day.  We need to cultivate a strong relationship with God through deep and personal prayer so that we have that relationship already established in an emergency.  When Nehemiah’s emergency came while standing in front of Artaxerxes, he already had a strong prayer relationship.

We pray powerfully when we pray according to the promises of God.  When we pray based on who He is and what He has done, our faith grows and we receive God’s blessing.  Using the Scriptures and its promises when praying will activate His Word and remind us of His power and past blessings in our life.