Day 16 - Nehemiah (The Power of Prayer)

Day 16 - NEHEMIAH (The Power of Prayer)

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O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name; and let Your servant prosper this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.   For I was the king's cupbearer….And the king granted them to me according to the good hand of my God upon me.   (Nehemiah 1:11b; 2:8b)

The Jewish captives who had returned to Israel from Babylon “are in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire."  Having received this sad news, Nehemiah prays his prayer in verse 11 of chapter 1.  The stakes couldn’t be higher; either the king would sympathize with his cupbearer and grant his request or the king would be displeased and have his head cut off.  But God was no doubt pleased with Nehemiah’s grief over the sad state of his people and that was all that mattered.  God moved in the heart of King Artaxeres and the king granted the long list of requests that Nehemiah presented.  The result of this one man’s burden and vision to make a difference for his suffering brethren: Jerusalem was rebuilt amidst great opposition and persecution from her enemies and the people served and worshipped God!  

God, give me a burden and vision like Nehemiah to make a difference in the lives of others who are in need.