Pray and Work, the Inspiring Example of Nehemiahنموونە

God listens to our prayers

“Let your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, to hear the prayer of Your servant that I now pray before You day and night for the people of Israel Your servants.”

When King Solomon had built a temple for God, God said, “Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place. For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that My name may be there forever.” (2 Chronicles 7:15) But this promise was followed by a warning: if the Israelites violated God's commandments and would serve other gods, they would lose their land and God would “cast the temple out of His sight.” That is exactly what happened. The city of Jerusalem, including the temple, was destroyed by the Babylonian army. But once groups of Jews returned to their land (about 70 years later), attempts were made to build a new temple.

It is striking that Nehemiah uses the same words in his prayer that God spoke centuries earlier. It is as if he asks the Lord God: ‘Does this promise still apply; are You still listening to us even though the temple has been destroyed and I am here in Babylon instead of Jerusalem?’ The rest of the story will make it clear: Yes, God listens to Nehemiah's prayer!

In John 16:23, the Lord Jesus promises His followers, “Whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He will give it to you.” No temple is needed for this anymore. The Lord God always and everywhere listens to our prayers. What a blessing!