Contemplative Bible Reading

Nehemiah was cup bearer to King Artaxerxes. He was troubled by the news that came from Jerusalem. Nehemiah wanted to ask the king for a favor – actually a huge favor; the kind of favor that you don’t ask often; the kind of favor that if answered with a “no” comes with an execution for asking.

Before asking the a favor from the king, Nehemiah prays. His prayer ends with:

Nehemiah 1:11 (New International Version)

Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.” I was cup bearer to the king.

I paused as this passage had great relevance to my life. I often go to people and ask them for something at work. That is my job – to cause change that will help us work.

My question was, “how often do I pray before asking someone for something?”

I am afraid that the answer to that question was, “almost never.”

I paused, thought, and prayed.

I wrote the verse Nehemiah 1:11 on a 3″x5″ card. I keep that card in my pocket. It serves as an effective reminder to pray before going before someone to ask for something.

I find that this works. People respond the way I would like them to respond when I ask. I think that one day someone will say “no.” I also think that on those occassions the “no” answer will be for my long-term benefit. I believe that an answer that comes after prayer will be an answer from God.