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1 Thessalonians 5:17

“be unceasing and persistent in prayer;” (AMP)

The book of Nehemiah tells the story of how a Jewish exile living in the capital of the Persian Empire, returned to Jerusalem and led the remnant of Jews to rebuild the city walls in 52 days. An amazing task considering he was a just servant of King Artaxerxes. The story details the numerous challenges he faced from the beginning to the end, from the people living outside and inside Jerusalem. It reads like a captivating made for TV drama.

But as you read through this “drama”, a Biblical principle keeps emerging that we can apply to our daily lives to help us accomplish the purposes of God and overcome obstacles we face.

The “drama” begins with Nehemiah learning of the condition of his beloved people and city, and immediately goes into fasting, mourning and prayer (Nehemiah 1:4-11). Then later as he stands in presence of the king, he has to explain why he looks so sad (a situation that could have put him at risk since he was the king’s cupbearer). He tells the king about the condition of Jerusalem and amazingly the kings asks, “What do you want?”. But before he responds, he prays (v 2:4). It had to be a quick, silent prayer because he is standing before the king who is waiting on a response. This short prayer put him in the right mindset to respond to the situation. The king shows favor toward Nehemiah and gives him all he asked for. God moved in his behalf.

Later in the “drama”, Nehemiah’s enemies hear about the effort to rebuild Jerusalem. They criticized and mocked the efforts. The “drama” breaks again with Nehemiah saying a short prayer (vs 4:4-5) in response to this criticism. Throughout rebuilding project, facing obstacle after obstacle, deceit, lies and threats, Nehemiah breaks the “drama” with repeated prayers to the Lord (vs 4:9, 5:15, 6:9, 6:14). He encourages others, responds to his enemies, and reminds people about the Lord (v 2:18-20, 4:20, 13:10-11). Each “break” in the action is like a “commercial break” in an exciting TV drama.

In short, in this “drama” of overcoming obstacles, attempts to discourage, correction, encouraging others, and accomplishing something great for the Lord, Nehemiah repeatedly takes “commercial breaks” to pray to, and interject the Lord into the situation. The “commercial breaks” served as pauses in the action of life to reinforce his fellowship with the Lord.

How many “commercial breaks” have you taken this week? Are you trying to solve problems big and small on your own? Do you go throughout the day with an earthly-focused mindset, or a God-focused mindset? Is the only time you attempt to interject the Lord into your situation is when you have exhausted all other options?

Learn from Nehemiah’s example and the Biblical principle demonstrated, “be unceasing and persistent in prayer;“. Don’t lean on and always depend on your own understanding bearing all the weight of a situation. Instead acknowledge, become more acquainted and aware of Him and trust that He will direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Take a “commercial break” today from the drama of your life. You may be amazed at how the hand of God could change your mind, heart or circumstances.