The Bible puts a strong emphasis on prayer and for good reason. Because it is our direct line to God where we can bring all our needs and worries before Him. Scripture tells us to pray without ceasing and to pray about everything but so often we struggle with those things. Instead praying at a set time every day, at meals, or in some cases just at church. We save up our needs throughout the day and lay them all out at once. Instead of taking them to God as they come up through the day. I believe that Nehemiah can teach us what it truly means to pray always.
Nehemiah probably isn’t the first person who comes to your mind when you think of prayer. But as you read through his writing you see that he was a man who prayed about everything. Often he wouldn’t even wait for a more opportune time to pray but would pray on the spot. Like right after he was told of the state of his ancestral home.
Nehemiah 1:4–6 (ESV)
4 As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. 5 And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned.
You may think to yourself that there are just times when you can’t pray but Nehemiah shows that you truly can pray always. Even when in the presence of others who may not believe the same as you do. All you have to do is make your petition know to God in your heart. In Nehemiah’s case that meant praying for the king’s favor while he was standing before the king.
Nehemiah 2:4–5 (ESV)
4 Then the king said to me, “What are you requesting?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. 5 And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ graves, that I may rebuild it.”
Nehemiah also shows that not every prayer has to be a grand theological outpouring. When we pray always before God a prayer can even take place in a conversation. Where we say something about a situation and then take a brief moment to ask for God’s help in that situation. This means even lacing prayers into everyday normal conversations.
For instance, you could say something along the lines of “My sister is in the hospital after an allergic reaction. Lord have your hand upon her.” It may sound like too simple of a pray but it is still a pray in the eyes of our Lord and one He is willing to honor. Just as He honored the simple prayer of Nehemiah and strengthened him against all those who fought against him.
Nehemiah 6:9 (ESV)
9 For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.” But now, O God, strengthen my hands.
Nehemiah was someone who would pray always even before the Bible specially called for believers to do so. Today we not only have the ability to pray for everything and at all times. But God’s word instructs us to do just that. Why? Because it has a direct impact on our lives and the truth is no circumstance exists in which we should not seek the Lords leading. Don’t just take my word for it though see what God Himself has to say about prayer in his own word.
Philippians 4:6 (ESV)
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 (ESV)
17 pray without ceasing,
Mark 11:24 (ESV)
24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
James 5:16 (ESV)
16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
There is nothing wrong with having a set prayer time every day. In fact, I believe that everyone should have a certain time and even amount of time they try to spend in prayer daily. But that time should not be the only time we find ourselves talking to God. He is always with us and as such we should always be communing with Him. Not saving up things throughout the day until it is time for prayer again.
No instead let’s be like Nehemiah and meet everything with prayer. When we hear of a need let’s no longer write it down or say we will be praying for it. Let’s pray for it right then even with the person who brought the need to us. Of course, doing so won’t mean your prayers will get answered more often. But think of the effect it can have on the faith of the other person and even on your own faith. Put God’s word into action and start your journey of praying always today.
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