Our music practice was not going well. The team was tense because we were gaining no traction in selecting and practicing songs for an important event. Then it happened. A young woman said softly, “I think we should pray about this.” And with that, she called out to God to help us move forward in practicing and performing well for Him.
Nehemiah also knew the power of prayer. Forced to live in Babylon for decades, he had become the cupbearer for the Persian king Artaxerxes (Nehemiah 1:11). Nehemiah was saddened to learn of the sorry state of Jerusalem and his people there, so he asked the king for permission to go and help lead the restoration of the city—but not before he spent “days” calling out to God (Nehemiah 1:4). Nehemiah’s prayers to “the great and awesome God” included requests for Him to intervene and move the king’s heart so he could return home (Nehemiah 1:5,11).
The following spring, as Nehemiah served “the king his wine,” Artaxerxes asked him why he looked so sad and how he could help. “With a prayer to the God of heaven,” Nehemiah requested to head home to “rebuild the city” (Nehemiah 2:1-5). What happened next brought joy to Nehemiah’s heart, for the king gave him permission to pack up and head back to Judea.
This cupbearer and his praying ways remind me of the One who once asked God the Father, “If you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me” (Luke 22:42). Jesus prayed often—seeking God’s strength and that His will be done.
After the young woman prayed for our music team, things finally began coming together. The unified sounds must have been sweet music to God’s ear. May we always remember to pray—seeking God’s will for each situation we face.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Jeremiah 38:1-13
More:
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 and consider how prayer, joy, and thankfulness dovetail.
Next:
What things have you been trying to handle without prayer? Why is it so vital that we seek God’s will to be done as we pray to Him?
sandy229 on May 26, 2016 at 1:00 am
Because the “Lords Prayer” says not my will, but Thine be done. That is why we must seek God’s will and not our own. Things may not turn out the way we want them to, but they always give us greater joy in the end, even though we may not see it at first.
There was something I was going to try to figure out and try to decide what to do, when I realized I had to pray about it and seek God’s will and not my own. I did pray about it, and I am still waiting for an answer, as it may take 6 months, but I feel really good about it, and I know it will bring me joy no matter what the outcome. In other words, I am not worried about it, any decision I make will be the one God shows me. It will also bring joy in ways I don’t yet know about. Does that sound weird? Maybe I am anticipating a little, or hoping it will have a good outcome. But the point is that I know it will be God’s will, and Romans says “All things work together for good, for those who love God, and are called according to His service. I don’t know why, but for some reason that verse comes to me.
Tom Felten on May 26, 2016 at 7:49 am
Nope, I don’t think this is weird, Sandy. It speaks to me of a trust in God and the joy that comes from true submission to Him. Thanks so much for sharing what’s happening in this situation—I’ve recently experienced a similar one!
sandy229 on May 26, 2016 at 10:55 am
Thank you for your cemment…….My prayers will be with you Tom, I seem to remember something about a family situation you had when you came here to Southern California and saw that gorgeous waterfall. I was going to ask you where that was exactly. Lytle Creek comes to mind because you would never guess there would be a waterfall so close to the mountain pass, but since there are more, I’m guessing it’s probably not that one. Anyway, my prayers will certainly be with you. God knows what the situation is so we can still pray for someone without knowing the details. GBU
godlove on May 26, 2016 at 11:50 am
sandy, you don’t sound weird at all., you sound like me… unless I’m weird too 🙂 I always feel good too about anything I take to God because I know that, regardless of the outcome, it will be His will and His way is always the best; just as you pointed out in that great verse from Romans. You may be hoping for a favourable outcome (that’s just normal) but keep trusting in Him, regardless of how and when He answers.
sandy229 on May 26, 2016 at 2:25 pm
Thank you and God Bless you. 🙂
elegantstarr1 on May 26, 2016 at 3:12 am
God answers prayers! HE may not come instantly, when we want him to, but HE’S always on time!
Tom Felten on May 26, 2016 at 7:51 am
So true, elegantstarr1! There have been times I’ve been disappointed when things haven’t happened the way I wanted or in the fact that it seemed like I was waiting and waiting. But God has always proven to do exactly the right thing within His perfect will and at the right time.
Gary Shultz on May 26, 2016 at 6:33 am
Thank you Tom, we need to be more and we need more to be like this young woman. So often we are challenged by different things and somehow we get this disconnect when it comes to really seeking God advice and answers. I don’t know if it’s distractions or we just can’t see God in the situation. We are like sheep when it comes to this, we wonder off not seeking the Shepard. I would hope the passage in 1Thess would also be a part, that we take time to also thank and praise God. It is hard to slow the pace of life and allow God to have His work in our lives. Thanks again, WBP
Tom Felten on May 26, 2016 at 7:55 am
Good thoughts, Gary. A big part of being able to wait on God when questions aren’t getting answers and when days are difficult is praying both in submission and gratitude. May we give thanks even in the storms today!
gagirllive on May 26, 2016 at 10:16 am
The first work of preparation for anything we attempt to do for God is prayer. It should never be an after-thought or last resort. Sometimes I catch myself saying, “Well, all I can do is pray about it.”…as though that is least among things! Prayer is powerful, for it undergirds and supports everything in the Christian life! Thanks, Tom. I’ve been praying for you and your family in these difficult days.
sandy229 on May 26, 2016 at 11:02 am
Yes, it should always be the first thing we do. About my situation, I should have just given it over to God in the first place. There is nothing to big or too little for God to take care of. God wants us to ask Him for help and seek His guidance. I was wrong about my first thought, and the reason I did what I did was because I felt like I created the situation so I had to get myself out of it. Boy, was I ever wrong. I know that asking God’s will on the matter should always be first thought. I hear so many people say, “Well all we can do is pray about it now, cuz we have tried everything else” when like you said, prayer should always come first in any situation. After all, God is our closet and best friend, and when we get into the habit of automatically asking God’s guidance and will, it should come automatically. God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. So you are right when you say prayer should always be the first thing we do in any given situation. GBU
gagirllive on May 26, 2016 at 11:09 am
Sandy, you’ve reminded me of something that blesses me every time I read it in the OT. In several places it says that “David inquired of the LORD” before he went and pursued something. What a lesson to us not to make one step before we ask God about it! Blessings to you, friend.
godlove on May 26, 2016 at 11:34 am
Exactly, gagirl, going to God in prayer must always come first, not be the last resort after having tried everything. I know I make that same mistake too sometimes, but I thank God for His infinite grace, that even during times we come to Him after trying on our own, He still hears our prayers.
godlove on May 26, 2016 at 11:28 am
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 is one of my favourite Bible verses. I think it says exactly what the Christian state of mind should be like. One great thing about prayer for me, is that it ALWAYS gives me peace of mind. I am never worried about anything I entrust to GOD because I am confident that He knows best. I may have requests from my human standpoint, but at the end of the day, God is “able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” so prayer just enables me to free myself of all worries and to be completely reliant on His grace and mercy, trusting in His divine will. The whole point for me is never about whether/when He will answer my prayer, but simply that He may take control of the situation. Thank you Tom, great post. Blessings to all.
sandy229 on May 26, 2016 at 11:43 am
Ephesians 3:20 is one of my favorite verses! It’s perfect for today’s lesson! Thank you for reminding me of that verse.
jef on May 26, 2016 at 3:47 pm
God the mountain mover and the valley leveeller, of the ‘seemingly’ important and the mundane stuff like misplaced keys. In every situation TRUST is the key even when at times we feel like the imprisoned John the Baptist quizzically “Are you the one or do we look for another? “
BearPair on May 26, 2016 at 4:29 pm
Amen, Tom. “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is _____ ” So many words seem a fitting insertion here. It’s so true: prayer must be our 1st resource, not our last; Nehemiah is such an excellent example. Thanks!
hsnpoor on May 26, 2016 at 10:17 pm
One of my favorite verses is Romans 12:12 – Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer. Closely followed by Phil 4:6-7: 6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”. Yes, the promises of God are true and I say “Amen”!