Answered Prayer

When I heard these words … I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven.—Nehemiah 1:4 KJV

Nehemiah was devastated. He heard that the walls of Jerusalem were broken down and its gates were burned. Struggling for a response, he turned to God. It would have been easy to give up and assume the problem was too big. It was impractical to think there was anything he could do.

But Nehemiah was moved by faith and a willingness to believe. He humbled himself and spent days weeping and seeking God. He confessed the sins of his people. And he prayed without ceasing. The results were dramatic and miraculous as the king allowed him to return to Jerusalem and even covered all expenses necessary to rebuild the wall.

Nehemiah’s prayer is the kind of prayer that moves mountains. Filled with faith, it is humble and yet resolved, dedicated and yet submissive. It is prayer willing to believe that nothing is impossible (Luke 1:37).

Many people approach God with superficial concerns and shallow prayers. They may be sincere but do not demonstrate determination. Praying with limited faith, they may be willing to stop praying and give up if they do not receive immediate answers. These kinds of people should not be surprised if their prayers are not answered.

If you want answers to your prayers, follow Nehemiah’s example. Humble yourself before God. Commit your needs to Him. Seek Him relentlessly. Never give up. Always be sensitive to His leadership. Stand on His Word.

Reflection Question: What big project in your life needs a God-sized intervention?