"The Secret Key To Prayer: The Nehemiah Approach"
Introduction: A Parable of the Farmer’s Request
Imagine a farmer in a small village. One year, drought devastates the region, and his crops wither. Desperate for water, he visits the wealthy landowner nearby, hoping for assistance. Instead of pleading for mercy, the farmer approaches with a proposition: “If you grant me water, I will give you the first and best of my harvest when it comes.”
The landowner considers it. Helping the farmer will mean more than simply showing mercy; it will mean a personal gain. The landowner agrees, the farmer’s crops are saved, and, true to his word, the farmer shares his harvest. Through his wise approach, the farmer receives the help he needed while honoring his commitment.
This parable shows the principle of appealing to mutual benefit, rather than relying solely on compassion. Today, we’ll explore how Nehemiah embodies this principle, showing us how purposefully appealing to others’ interests helps us fulfill God’s plan.
Main Text: Nehemiah 2:1-9 (KJV)
"And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence.
Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid,
And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire?"
Point 1: Nehemiah’s Approach – A Self-Interest Appeal
Nehemiah, like the farmer, does not beg for compassion. Instead, he approaches the king with respect and presents his case in a way that aligns with the king's interests.
Scripture Reference: Proverbs 16:7 (KJV)
"When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him."
Context & Commentary: Nehemiah was a man of prayer and sought the Lord’s favor continually. By aligning his request with the king’s interests, he was also aligning with God’s wisdom, making even a powerful foreign ruler receptive to his needs. Nehemiah didn’t merely plead for help but strategically approached in a way that aligned with God’s wisdom and the king’s concerns, ensuring a peaceful and favorable response.
Application: When we seek God’s purposes, we can be assured that God will move on our behalf, even using those around us to fulfill His plans. Nehemiah shows us that purposeful, godly appeal can soften even those who might otherwise be indifferent.
Point 2: Nehemiah’s Detailed Request for Resources
When granted the opportunity, Nehemiah doesn’t only ask for leave to go. He strategically requests letters for safe passage and materials to rebuild. He anticipated potential roadblocks and requested resources to ensure success.
Scripture Reference: Proverbs 21:1 (KJV)
"The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will."
Context & Commentary: God has the power to move even the hearts of kings. By appealing with clarity and planning, Nehemiah positioned himself as someone the king could trust to execute a mission that would ultimately benefit the kingdom’s stability. Here, we see that God often uses our preparation and wisdom to bring about His purposes, working in the hearts of those around us.
Application: God often works through our preparedness, so that even worldly authorities are inclined to grant favor toward His plans. When we prepare with God’s guidance, He can use our efforts to accomplish His will, just as He did with Nehemiah.
Point 3: The Fruit of Purposeful Appeal – Nehemiah’s Success
Nehemiah’s request is granted, demonstrating that his strategic approach, paired with faith, brings tangible results. His appeal to mutual interest with clear intention secures everything he needs.
Scripture Reference: James 1:5 (KJV)
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."
Context & Commentary: Nehemiah’s success wasn’t just in his words, but in the wisdom God granted him to approach the situation strategically. By seeking wisdom, Nehemiah embodied the assurance found in James, that God would provide the insight and discernment needed to accomplish His purposes.
Application: As followers of Christ, we should seek wisdom in all things, especially when making requests of others. By doing so, we honor God, trusting that He will open doors and provide what we need through our wise approach.
Conclusion: Christ – The Ultimate Example of Purposeful Appeal
In every aspect of His life, Christ embodied the principle of appealing with purpose. While He came in love, Jesus also appealed to people's deepest needs and desires. Consider the woman at the well in John 4. Jesus didn’t simply speak of compassion or ask her to listen out of mercy; He appealed to her deep, unquenched thirst for living water, something she yearned for deeply. Jesus offered her the living water she craved, transforming her life.
Scripture Reference: John 4:13-14 (KJV)
"Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."
Context & Commentary: Jesus understood the woman’s needs and offered her something that would fulfill her beyond what she had known. By speaking to her deepest desire, He made a purposeful appeal, drawing her into a relationship that brought eternal change.
Final Application: Just as Christ exemplified purposeful appeal by addressing people's needs, we too can follow this model. Nehemiah’s example and the teachings of Jesus show us that when we align our requests with both God’s purpose and the real needs around us, God will work through us for His glory.
In Christ, we find the perfect example of wisdom, purpose, and strategic appeal. Let us learn from Nehemiah and Jesus, seeking to fulfill God’s plans by understanding the hearts of those around us, praying for wisdom, and letting God guide us in every endeavor.
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