So the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.”

Nehemiah 2:2

As we learn to be effective in prayer by studying the prayers of the saints of old in the Bible, we come to realize how the heart’s situation makes a difference in the responses we get from God.

Nehemiah has shown deep concern for the situation of the Jerusalem wall and of the returnees. He has fasted and prayed for days. I am not sure he took some days off work to pray. He just turned to God in deep contrition of heart and labored in prayers. At the same time, he attended to his palatial duties with the same intensity and integrity.

But today is different as he comes before the king. There is something about him the king has never seen before. It is a sadness of the heart that showed in his face (Nehemiah 2:2). But is it different from the other days since he started fasting and praying?

I don’t think so. I believe the Lord has rather opened the king’s eyes to see Nehemiah’s burdened heart in his face. It is called God’s favor. Nehemiah has asked for it, and God has given him what he desired. He has received because his desire has lined up with the heart and plan of God for His people. God has established him in the task he has been seeking in prayer. His prayer has been unselfish and God-honoring. And that has opened the heart of God to his request.

I love Nehemiah.  He is not afraid to open himself to us. He speaks about the fear that almost paralyzed him before the king. But today, God has lifted him with the courage to speak. Isn’t it so true that His power is made perfect in our weakness? (2 Cor. 12:9).

“What is it you want” (Neh. 2:4).

That’s it. The windows of heaven have opened wide with unlimited favor pouring down on the trusted cupbearer of Artaxerxes the first. Everything he needs for the wall-building project has lined up and waiting for his command. Time off from his official duties is no hindrance because he has tapped into the program of the King of kings. Nehemiah can have as many days as he needs to go back to Jerusalem to engage in heaven’s program (8). Isn’t God good?

So, what are you asking for in prayer now? What is your heart’s delight before the Lord our Provider? Is it set on Him for His glory? (2 Chronicles 16:9).