Nehemiah’s Waiting Prayer

“In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before.” – Nehemiah 2:1

Have you ever been burdened by something so deeply that it weighs on your heart for months? That’s where we find Nehemiah. For four long months, he carried the weight of Jerusalem’s broken walls in his heart. As he served the king of Persia, Nehemiah prayed and waited—asking God to either take the burden away or show him how he could be the answer to the problem. The mention of the specific date in Nehemiah 2:1 is a reminder that God’s timing is not accidental. It emphasises that Nehemiah prayed persistently for months before the moment came when God opened the door for him to act.

This should challenge us. How long are we willing to labour in prayer for the things God puts on our hearts? Do we pray for a day, a week, or a month before giving up, thinking God isn’t listening? Nehemiah’s example reminds us that there are burdens that require persistent prayer. For Nehemiah, it wasn’t just a quick prayer and instant action. He prayed for months, seeking God’s guidance, and waiting for the right moment. His faithfulness in prayer prepared him for the opportunity to speak to the king.

In our fast-paced world, we can grow impatient, wanting quick answers and immediate results. But God often works in the waiting. The waiting builds our faith, deepens our dependence on Him, and prepares us for the role He wants us to play. Nehemiah didn’t rush to the king the moment he felt burdened; he waited on God’s timing. Sometimes, answers to our prayers take time, and the burden we feel might be God’s way of inviting us into a deeper partnership with Him.

Are there things in your life that you’ve given up praying for because it seems like nothing is changing? Nehemiah’s four months of prayer should encourage us to keep praying, to keep waiting, and to trust that God will move at the right time. Whether it’s a loved one who needs salvation, a dream God has placed in your heart, or a burden for a nation, don’t lose heart. God hears our prayers, and He is faithful.

PRAYER