Devotionals

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Pray!

So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven. Nehemiah 1:4 (NKJV)

Nehemiah was a cup-bearer for the king Artaxerxes, in the winter capital of the kings of Persia which is located in the south-western area of present day Iran. He would have enjoyed a luxurious life in the king's court – although his job was to make sure that the king was not being poisoned. However, when he heard news of Jerusalem (which was a far away place on the edge of the kingdom), his heart was troubled greatly. He could not help but pray for Jerusalem and the children of Israel. The city had been plundered, the survivors were in great distress and their city walls and gates were in disrepair.

Nehemiah did not do anything before he prayed and fasted. Then afterwards, God made a way for Nehemiah to go to Jerusalem and eventually build the walls up again.

There may be a place or a ministry that is on your heart. When you hear about it, which maybe through a news report about a certain country, or maybe a report about the homeless (or whatever it is on your heart), you are stirred on the inside. In fact, you are so moved by what you hear that you feel distressed and sorrowful for the people there. God is stirring you. Be stirred to pray. Spend a month specifically praying for that place or for the people that you feel called to. Pray and fast. Fasting is to go without food and to pray instead in the times that you would be preparing food and eating it. If you are not used to fasting, start with one meal – maybe lunch, every Thursday (for instance) and then work it up to the three meals on Thursdays. Watch and see if God does not move heaven and earth to answer your prayers. He will present you with an opportunity to fulfil that calling that you have on your life.

Do not ignore the stirrings in your heart but use them as a reminder that God has a job in store for you. But before any job can begin in God's kingdom, its foundations must be built on prayer.

Prayer:
Thank you God for the stirrings that you have placed on my heart. I know that you have a plan for me. Remind me to pray when I feel in sorrow. Thank you that you care for the people that you are sending me to. Thank you for your divine opportunities. In Jesus name, Amen.

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