Prayer As Your First Response

The moment has arrived. The conversation you’ve been waiting to have is here. Yet you still feel insecure and unsure of what to do next.

Nehemiah was in a similar situation as we see in Nehemiah 2:1-9. He had prayed for the Lord to give him favor with the king. Nehemiah knew that his position as the king’s cupbearer could be an opportunity to request from the king, the needed supplies for repairing the wall surrounding Jerusalem. This was important to him because it impacted the safety and security of his hometown community.

As you explore Nehemiah 2, notice how Nehemiah responds to the king’s first question and then to his second question. In this chapter, Nehemiah even said he had fear about this conversation. He knew the king could have him dismissed or even worse for being bold and presenting a personal request, especially if it didn’t align with the king’s agenda.

In Nehemiah 2:4, we see Nehemiah pause and bring this conversation to God, and then answer the king. While we don’t know what Nehemiah prayed, there was probably minimal time between his pause and answer. In Proverbs 15:28 and Colossians 4:2-6, we’re given wisdom about how to proceed in conversations with others. It’s important to pause before answering someone and ask God for His guidance and wisdom in responding, letting the Holy Spirit lead you.

In your conversations with God, consider these questions and practical ideas as you pray like Nehemiah:

• Is there a conversation you’ve been wanting to have and now you’re praying and waiting for the opportunity? Discuss with God about how you can recognize His timing. Also ask Him to help you pause and pray before immediately responding whenever that moment comes.

• Think about a time when an unexpected question led you to a response that was life-giving both for you and the person you were in conversation with. What do you notice about the ways the Holy Spirit guided you?

• Consider setting an alarm multiple times per day that acts as a reminder that God is always with you and that you can pause and talk to Him in prayer. Use this alarm to engage in your connection with Him. The more you create a rhythm of engaging in conversation with God and an awareness of His presence, the more you’ll be apt to pause and converse with God before responding in conversation.