Nehemiah was living in a foreign land yearning for a way to return to Jerusalem. He knew God wanted him to motivate the Jews to protect the city by rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls.
He did not just complain or wallow in self-pity or make mournful remarks about how bad the situation was. He took action, but notice what he did first.
The king saw that Nehemiah was sad—“The king said to me, ‘What is it you want?’ Then I PRAYED to the God of heaven, and I answered the king……..” Nehemiah 2:4,5.
He prayed right in the middle of his conversation with the king—–spontaneous prayer, emergency prayer. Prayer on-the-go is important and necessary and received.
But there is more:——Nehemiah did not limit his prayer life to “on-the-spot” praying.
In Nehemiah 1:5-10 he prays an emotional, tearful prayer that mentions the elements of all effective prayers—praise, thanksgiving, repentance, request, and commitment.
Nehemiah knew that God was always ready to answer his spontaneous prayer, because he had built an intimate relationship with God through many times of extended prayer.
If you want God to hear your emergency prayers, you must do as Nehemiah did. You must give God quality time and build a strong relationship with Him through intense prayer. Take the time and you will reap the reward.
Have a blessed day!
In Christian love,
Diane